 Come visit the Golden Years Vintage Market on March 14th! This is an amazing event that brings people together to celebrate everything vintage! This retro-inspired market cultivates creativity and individualism through unique clothing and vinyl records. This year, vintage collectors can find some of the best vendors in Southern California, all at the 2nd Street Promenade! Golden Years is an event that was created to celebrate the past in a fun and exciting way. Sarah Sunderman, the founder, states that, “Something really important to me was for my love for the vintage community to flow over into my event. I wanted greatly to create a fun event for both vintage sellers and attendees, to where it felt like getting together for a big dress-up party rather than a flea market. It's become a giant family and has completely surpassed my expectations!” Downtown Santa Ana is the perfect place for such an event, as it also welcomes creative communities and provides experiences you can’t find anywhere else. When asked why she chose DTSA, Sarah said that “there is an energy here unlike anywhere else. A goal for my event was for attendees to also get to enjoy downtown Santa Ana like I do. Even as my event grows, it's home will always be Santa Ana.” Golden Years is reflective of what DTSA is all about- bringing community together and encouraging positive experiences for locals and visitors! This year, Golden Years will be having giveaways for people who RSVP through Eventbrite! Provided by local businesses, attendees will have the chance to win several prizes for going to Golden Years! This will give people opportunities to explore what DTSA has to offer, including The Frida Cinema, Lola Gaspar, Congregation Ale House Chapters, Blackmarket Bakery, and more! Register for free online to be entered into the giveaway! RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/golden-years-vintage-market-tickets-91852440121 Photo from http://www.cameoappearancevintage.com/golden-years Story by Breanna Policar
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“To have coffee is to share community with somebody”- Peter Giuliano, Specialty Coffee Association Coffee is more than just a drink. It’s a shared social experience, a set of traditions and norms that bring people together. Whether you drink it on your commute to work or sit down for a couple of hours at a coffee house with an old friend, coffee has become a significant cultural object in Downtown Santa Ana. DTSA has become a hub for coffee shops and cafes, each showcasing their individuality through taste, aesthetic, and atmosphere. How could one drink have such a widespread influence on Santa Ana? Through perspectives of business owners, locals, and coffee lovers, this question is explored to reveal the underlying culture of coffee in DTSA. “Coffee is simultaneously deeply technical and social. It is an endless pursuit of quality in the context of social interaction” -Truman, Hopper and Burr Hopper and Burr has been serving specialty coffee to DTSA since 2016. They produce excellent, forward-thinking coffee and food that is approachable and welcoming. Hopper and Burr pushes back connotations and boundaries associated with coffee. DTSA is unique in that it behaves like a big city, because there is so much history and there is a city center; however, it is different because of the tight-knit community. Hopper and Burr depend on the community for their relationships. DTSA is unique in that it is tightly connected to its businesses. Hopper and Burr is a place where customers can take ownership and pride in their community. Truman, one of the owners, is highly knowledgeable on the technical side of coffee, but he knows the importance of connecting with people in the community. This emphasis of community is shown through his approach to presenting quality coffee. The integrity of the coffee is obvious, showing the passion that goes into the craft.  Photo from @hopperandburr “Community is the core of what we are.”- Sam, Café Cultura Café Cultura is the epitome of what it looks like to bring tradition in a modern age. The goal of Café Cultura is to make the community comfortable, while presenting Mexican traditions and flavors in an innovative way. Through their quality food and coffee, Mexico is introduced to Santa Ana in a way that is also welcoming to non-Hispanics, a key role in bringing the community together. As soon as you walk in, you hear Spanish music and are surrounded by bright colors and decorations from Mexico. The menu is in English and Spanish, showing that all are welcomed. The enthusiasm and dedication from the staff is obvious, making you want to come back for more. The whole atmosphere of Café Cultura is more than welcoming, it’s a genuine expression of Mexican American pride, highlighting what DTSA has to offer. The coffee culture of Café Cultura is global, because they importing coffee beans from Chiapas, which are influenced by traditional flavors and spices. This global coffee culture is then localized through the fusion of tradition in Santa Ana. Their Café de Olla is unique because they fuse spices with their coffee beans, providing a delicious black coffee that is sweet and requires no add ins. They have so many more special coffee drinks that reflect their culture, such as the Café Brew de Olla and the Horchata Latte.  Pictured: Café Cultura, (right) Café Brew de Olla “Santa Ana is a culture of its own.” -Senah Kim, Maz Café Con Leche Maz Café Con Leche is yet another establishment that is breaking down preconceived notions of coffee shops. As a forward-thinking, innovative coffee shop, Maz Café Con Leche is redefining what it means to means to be a coworking space. This place fosters warmth, love, and inspiration for the community, as they hold many events to supports the and showcase individuals in DTSA. It is a celebration of Hispanic culture, using unique flavors such as their Mazapan Latte or their Abuelita Latte. The goal of this coffee shop is not just to serve coffee, but to create a safe space where the community of DTSA can come together and lift each other up.  Pictured: Maz Café Con Leche
“A coffee house is just a living room for the neighborhood.” -Peter Giuliano, Specialty Coffee Association Everyone has a special relationship with coffee. For Peter Giuliano, his relationship with coffee started from his relationship with his grandfather, who was a notorious coffee drinker. Peter’s relationship with coffee evolved in college, where he found comfort in coffee houses. He worked, played, and studied in coffee houses where characters outside the norm were embraced and welcomed. To him, coffee encouraged those who were different and off-beat, something that really resonated with his desire to be individualistic. His relationship with coffee grew as he traveled to places where they grew and distributed coffee beans, giving him a much wider and global understanding of something he loved. He learned the different terminology, sources, and scientific sides to coffee. Fast-forward to today, Peter has seen a change in coffee culture in DTSA that is positive and unique. He has witnessed how the localization of coffee culture has brought community together in a special way. DTSA has made coffee it’s own. Coffee has grown into a community-wide specialization. Santa Ana has a unique coffee culture in that coffee is being interpreted as Latin American. DTSA has a diversity of coffee- from Hopper and Burr to Portola Coffee Roasters, Café Cultura, Coffee Muse, and the Den Cafe- each place is reflecting community in different ways. Coffee shops are a place for people to interact and feel safe. It’s a place where you can share information and experiences with anyone in the context of coffee. Creating moments that focus on building community is what DTSA is about. This is obvious from the way coffee is viewed and presented by members of the community. There is so much more meaning that is poured into your cup every day. Coffee is not just a beverage, it is a visual representation of community pride, individual expression, and cultural traditions that bring people together. Special thanks to: Senah Kim from @mazcafeconleche Truman from @hopperandburr Sam and Frank from @cafeculturadtsa Peter Giuliano from @specialtycoffeeassociation Story by Breanna Policar  Cupid descended on Downtown Santa Ana and spread the spirit of love around the city. Check out all the exciting deals, promotions and events for you and your betrothed to bask in downtown!  Munchies Diner - McFadden Public Market Heart-shaped chicken nuggets (vegan)  Mission control/Twisted Tiki Mission control - free roses for the ladies and couples raffle- drink @ shot specials Twisted tiki - $2 off all signature drinks  Buqqa Gourmet - 4th St Market - McFadden Public Market 15% off  Portola Coffee - 4th St Market Rose Caradamom Lattes!  Mix Mix Kitchen & Bar V-Day Prix Fixe Dinner  La Vegana Mexicana - 4th St Market Pink masa cheese and jalapeño vegan tamales  Steel Pan Pizza - 4th St Market Couples special "Sweet for your Sweet" Free dessert with the purchase of two pizzas  Naughty Panda - 4th St Market Special "Naughty" Handroll  Elite Fitness Buy 1 intro offer and get the second one 50% off so you can train with your Valentine Buy any supplement item and get the other for 50% off 5 & 10 packs of Personal Training and Group classes are 14% off Buy 2 Myzone Heart Rate monitor belts and get $10 off Use Feb14 as promo code to get discounts -- offers good until 2/14/20  Gypsy Den Rose latte and Lavender latte throughout February.  Black Market Bakery Buy 1 tart, get 1 free. Now through February 1-14th.  Chapter One Special menu for the night and will be taking reservations for couples Valentine's Weekend at Chapter One Thursday-Sunday, February 13th-16th Join Us For A Special Valentine's Weekend Food & Cocktail Menu! https://www.facebook.com/events/180217743338942/  Cafe Cultura Champagne and Rose Petal-flavored, heart=shaped conchas are available through February 14th. Preorder is available online through the 13th.  Kebab Place Special prix fixe dinner menu for couples and live music.  Chevita’s Juice and Bagels Special new sandwich called "Sausage Bagel Melts."  Eat Chow 4 course meal special for the 14th. Photos: Aaron Alvarez
Cupid cosutme and actor: Vic Carmona Special Thanks: Breanna Policar Concept: Ryan Smolar |
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September 2022
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