By TR Robertson
Located in the heart of Downtown Historic Vista, at 253 Main Street, next to Vista’s Avo Theatre, is a popular coffee shop called Cosmic Bloom Coffee. Many people walk by the coffee shop, look in the window, and say, “I didn’t know this coffee shop was here. Is it new?” The answer is no; Cosmic Bloom Coffee has been at this location for 3 ½ years, pouring great varieties of coffee and providing a comfortable, friendly space to relax, enjoy whatever DVD is playing on their small TV, or sit outside and watch Vista pass by.
Owners Omar and Briana Veytia and Louis and Taylor Elguera said they took over the former coffee boutique, called Steel Mill, from previous owners Shea Cooper, Riley Hawk and Steven Giles a little over 3 ½ years ago. It was formerly named after Bruce Steingsteen’s band. Omar said he also thinks the site, in the 1950’s, was a taxi office and a living space in the back where a family lived and the wife worked next door at a former Mexican eatery. That space is now occupied by Moonry Collective Salon Spa & Shop. Omar and Louis have been friends since they first met in middle school. After high school they met again when Omar was working at a tea blending shop in Oceanside and Louis worked close by at a coffee roasting shop. Louis also worked for a while at a biotech company. This friendship led to a meeting with the Steel Mill owners and after several conversations the chance to take over the coffee shop. He said on May 23, 2023, they were the proud owners of Cosmic Bloom Coffee.
Omar and Louis said they are constantly searching for the best coffee blends to offer and sell to their customers. Louis said they are proud that they are keeping up with being innovative in the coffee industry. Their web site says,
“We all grew up in the skate, music, and art community, and our brand is a representation of our lifestyles all thrown together. The space exploration represents our search for truly exceptional coffee.”
They said they were influenced by a speech from Karl Sagen’s “Pale Blue Dot”; “Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives… on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.” Louis said he feels that we’re really all together in the exploration of the coffee industry.
They said their coffees are sourced from some of the best producers all over the world. They are presently offering coffee blends from Mexico, El Salvador and Columbia. Each individual lot purchased has a specific flavor profile they are looking to share. Once they have the coffees, they are carefully roasted to bring out the best flavor of the origin and process. Shortly after their opening they took 3rd place in the Coffee in Good Spirits Competition in Chicago using an Indonesian decaf blend.
On their menu in Cosmic Bloom, it lists the following coffee selections – Espresso, Americano, Cortado, Cappuccino, Latee, Cold Brew, Drip Covvee Chiapas Washed, Red Bourbon Natural, Pink Bourbon Experimental, Geisha Washed, and Chiroso Washed. You can also add syrup flavors such as vanilla, maple bourdon, mocha, honey cinnamon, Mexican Mocha and seasonal. A milk alternative of pistachio or oat is also offered. Any of the family of baristas behind the counter will explain any of the coffee selections to you to help you make the right choice for you. Also available for purchase are cans of their coffees to take home for you to brew yourself. Some of these coffees are Delagua Natural Process Red Bourbon from El Salvador, Espresso Roast Specialty Coffee Blend from Mexico and Columbia, Caturra-Chiroso Washed Tolima from Columbia, Seis Generaciones Chiapas – Mexico Traditional Washed, and La Esmeralda Pink Bourbon Experimental from Columbia. Again, the varieties can be explained as to the flavors and process used for blending. Ask them about their Signature drinks The Empress, Breathless, Jamaca Spritz and Great Northern.
Another unique feature offered is a Barista Fundamentals 101 class you can sign up for, there is a charge. At the class you will get a hands-on experience of how some of their different coffee blends are made. Contact Cosmic Bloom for more information.
Some Cosmic Bites items are offered, and you might want to try the Breakfast Sandwich listed on the menu board. The sandwich came from a breakfast sandwich Omar and Louis tried at the Chicago donut shop called Do-Rite. They said the sandwich used a Brioche bun with bacon, egg, cheese and mayo and was delicious. Also available is adding chicken. If you are a tea drinker you can select from Matcha, Chai, Earl Grey, Hibiscus Mint.
Cosmic Bloom is open seven days a week, Monday-Saturday 7am-2pm and Sunday 8am-2pm.
They said when events like the Rod Run or the Strawberry Festival take place customers stop by saying they never knew they were open on Main Street and were glad to find them.
Stop by one of Vista’s Best Kept Secrets and check out Cosmic Bloom. Relax inside, see the amazing selections of DVD’s offered, enjoy a great cup of coffee, try the breakfast sandwich and support one of Vista’s local businesses run by local North County residents. Go to www.cosmicbloomcoffee.com for more information.
