It’s impossible not to smile when you visit Coffee Cordica 21.
Mexico’s first cafe that provides real-life work experience to people with Down Syndrome, Coffee Cordica 21 is a tiny, mostly open-air venue in an upscale Guadalajara neighborhood that debuted in November 2017. And you’ll feel the positive vibes from the first moment you visit.
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The café, part of a private school for children and young adults with Down Syndrome, serves as a living classroom for students age 18 and up (a total of 12 students out of the school’s 30 spend time at the cafe). From 9am until 1pm on weekdays, the students prepare food and drinks and serve patrons. When I arrived on a sunny Thursday morning, I was greeted with a big smile from a young waiter named Rafael, who showed me to my seat. His mother happened to be sitting at a table nearby and introduced herself. “My son has some trouble talking and communicating, but he’s very social and loves to meet people,” she told me.
The mother said that this venue has been such a success that there are plans to open another, larger café somewhere else in the city.
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A non-student staff member took my order — I chose a combo that included two savory molletes (something like an open-faced cheese sandwich), a beverage and cheese pie, value priced at only 50 pesos (about $2.50). Rafael beamed as he and the other staff member brought me my order.
Another student, Ricardo, joined in our conversation as I ate. “Do you like football?” he asked. Unfortunately I don’t really know much about the sport, so I fudged a bit and said that while I’m horrible at playing it, I do enjoy watching it. “I play football on a team here!” he said.
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During the hour or so I spent at Cordica 21, a variety of people streamed in and out to buy coffee and snacks to go. All shared warm greetings with the wait staff. A family came in and took a table next to me, and the parents encouraged their young son to talk with the waiter.
A concept like Cordica 21 is a wonderful way to give new experiences to people with different abilities, to be sure. But the benefits for those who patronize the location are noteworthy, too. No one who entered Cordica 21 was lacking a smile. This is a place of positive emotions. If I lived in Guadalajara, I’d want to visit this cafe regularly.
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If you have a sweet tooth, you must try the other desserts, too. All are prepared on site by students and staff. The brownies are rich and moist and the cookies are crunchy and flavorful.
Even art collectors will find something to appreciate here. A variety of artwork by some of the school’s other students graces the walls, and the colorful squares with imaginative images would be a lovely addition to any wall.
I took a few photos of the attractive little establishment to include in this post. I also wanted to take a photo of the waitstaff, but I was afraid that might seem disrespectful. Instead, I wandered into the counter area to check out some more of the artwork and photo display of the students’ classes.
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As I prepared to leave, my waiter’s mother stopped me. “Would you mind if I took a photo of you with the boys?” she asked.
“Of course!” I said. “Please take one of us with my camera, too.”
The three of us posed together, smiling. I said goodbye to everyone and hugged my waiter.
“¡Adios!” Rafael said, still smiling.