DURHAM, N.C. — Little Waves Coffee Roasters is an independently owned, and Latina co-owned roastery and coffee shop.

 

What You Need To Know

  • Little Waves Coffee Roasters roasts it's coffee in Durham. It also has three cafes named Cocoa and Cinnamon.

  • Roast Magazine named Little Waves as a finalist for Micro Roaster of the year.

  • Co-owners Leon Grodski de Barerra and Areli Barerra de Grodski started the business with just $75 and a bicycle.


Co-owners Leon Grodski de Barerra and Areli Barerra de Grodski started the business with just $75 and a bicycle. They originally named the business "Bike Coffee" and used to ride and push a 350-pound bike around Durham to sell their products.

"Leon would literally just push this and help me go up the hill or vice-versa," says Areli.

The bike is now bolted down inside their Cocoa and Cinnamon Coffee Shop in the Lakewood neighborhood. It's a good reminder of how this couple's story began.

The company now has three Cocoa and Cinnamon cafes and it's roastery all located in Durham.

Recently, Roast Magazine named Little Waves as a finalist for Micro Roaster of the year.

Besides roasting, brewing, and serving coffee, Cocoa and Cinnamon also focuses on wholesale items and delicious churros.

Right now, all of the company's locations are no-contact, walk-up ordering or online orders for pickup only. But, the coffee shop also ships nationwide.

COVID-19 has forced every business to adapt including theirs but Areli says she is determined to keep following her dreams.

"Follow your heart and put everything you have into it...Even if it's only 75 dollars," she says.