SAN LUIS — There is a new restaurant and coffee company in San Luis. After months of planning, the San Luis Coffee Company opened Jan. 20 during a snowstorm.

Despite the cold weather, the inside is warm and inviting, with the aroma of coffee in the air.

One is first drawn to penny floor. How many pennies were used?

"That is secret. And will be revealed in a contest in the future," said owner Kathleen Aragon.

Her manager, Chastity, and long-time employee Justin saw a penny floor in Texas and owners David and Kathleen Aragon thought it was a great idea.

Originally from Wisconsin, Kathleen met David in Colorado. David Aragon has deep roots in San Luis.

“We wanted to be here in the Valley and start a business in San Luis because David's family is from (there),” Kathleen said.

The San Luis Coffee Company is open 7 days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Aside from serving a variety of coffee, coffee drinks and doughnuts, the restaurant also has made-from-scratch panini sandwiches and sweet treats, like biscochitos and blondies — a blonde brownie with chocolate chips.

"We use organic ingredients whenever we can," Kathleen said. "The coffee comes from many countries around the equator, like Peru, Colombia, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Honduras, and San Salvador. We work with small farms that practice fair trade and provide living wages."

San Luis Coffee Company roasts the coffee beans on-site, then packages and sells them.

Kathleen is excited to be able to create jobs.

"The idea is to do something, to be a part of the community," she said.

A wall of the restaurant will be dedicated to local artists, who can showcase and sell their work.

The Aragons want San Luis Coffee Company to be a gathering place. In a side room of the restaurant, they hope "...to have a business center with computers, printers, and be able to offer business classes.”

For more information, call 414-559-0061.