DENVER — Sergio Mendez comes from a family of entrepreneurs. As a child in Tijuana, he took inspiration from them, selling candies outside of his home to neighbors and others in the area.
Now, years later, Mendez has opened Mystical Blends, a coffee and smoothie shop at 2936 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver.
The Sweet Mango drink on the menu is something that he used to sell when he was 8 years old.
"It moves me a lot," Mendez said. "I used to sell those in Mexico outside my house to my neighbors, and now put it on the menu and have a professional picture, and now sharing that with people, it’s like a full circle. I am very moved and happy to do that."
When Mendez was a child, feeling financially independent meant having his own money to go the movies.
Later, that feeling of financial independence inspired him to open his own place, in California. After two years, he decided he wanted to relocate. So he closed the California location and is now opening up the concept in Denver.
He found a space off East Colfax, not far from East High School.
"I was driving by this area, East Colfax, and I saw that this place was available for lease. I took a look through the window. I liked the space. I saw the potential. I also saw the potential in the area," Mendez said.
The menu features coffee, smoothies, food and pastries.
"Being an entrepreneur is a rollercoaster always. You wake up super motivated in the morning and then something bad happens and then you are discouraged, and you just want to close your project for good and you have to be very resilient," Mendez said.
Mendez battled all of the obstacles for the grand opening on Saturday. Leaders from the community came out in support, including Denver City Council President Jamie Torres, Councilmember Flor Alvidrez and Consul General of Mexico Pavel Melendez Cruz.
"The reception of the people, the neighborhood, the City Park and Congress Park neighbors have been very warm and enthusiastic about us opening," Mendez said.
"It means a lot. It means a lot because it’s a dream come true. It’s the American dream," said Marlene Bedoya, a longtime friend of Mendez and a nonprofit activist in Denver. "This is a dream for everybody and it’s an inspiration. He is an inspiration for us, and this is what we need in our city. We need people who are willing to do everything possible in their hands and take those opportunities that our city has and make their dreams a reality."
Mystical Blends is open Tuesday through Saturday.
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