Mauricio moved to the States from Guatemala in 2015. He didn't know English and didn't know how to start a business, but he wanted to show the world his love for coffee and his country - starting with Bentonville. This man is known for the one and only 211 Cafe, outstandingly unique coffee, putting a smile on everyone's face and saying "COFFEE YOUR LIIIFE!" (He means it too.)

211 Cafe started off on the Bentonville Square where The First Seat is now. He taught people that coffee could be better and to slow down and enjoy each other's company. Every time you walk into 211 Cafe you felt like you could talk to the stranger next to you, because you all had this little place in common. Also coffee. You had coffee in common and there was this tiny little feeling inside us that knew we were drinking the absolute best, but we didn't flaunt it. That was enough.

It was a hard start. Financially things were tough and it didn't help that English was a new language for Mau. After two years, in his most desperate time, Bike Rack Brewing Co. invited him to work under them as they began experimenting with coffee and beer under the same roof. In the end coffee people and beer people are so different that it wasn't the best fit for them.

Then 211 was gone and I personally wasn't sure what to do. I went to a couple other places around town and none of them tasted as pure as what I had gotten so used to.

Now, like a quetzal out of the fiery ashes of Guatemala's hottest volcano - they're back. That old small coffee shop feeling is back in the Bentonville Library! Good coffee and good books go perfect together.

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I've been helping Mau with everything he needs, from prints and video to website.

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This story taught us how hard it to look good when starting a business and since we had solid jobs keeping us grounded we realized that we could help people in Mau's situation without charging an arm or a leg. It's stories like this that make Minim Design Co. Yeah, now you get it.

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