Mayorga Coffee Shop to close Dec. 31

Mayorga Coffee Shop on Georgia Avenue is scheduled to close Dec. 31 as a result of what company president Martin Mayorga described as a decrease in sustainability. The spacious eatery will shorten its daily hours starting Dec. 14 and will be offering all of its coffee beverages for free Dec. 24 - 31 in preparation for closure.

The Silver Spring location has seen a 50 percent drop in business since construction on a sidewalk and new connecting road to Georgia Avenue began on Blair Mill Road earlier this year, according to Mayorga. "After the road was closed, people couldn't get to us anymore," he said.

Mayorga, a few other company officials and the landlord came to the decision to close the shop after realizing that the location was unable to stay successful. "One of the most important things for a business is growth," Mayorga said. "At that location, it wasn't sustainable."

Shift lead Kelsey Ventrice at the Silver Spring location said she has not noticed a definite decrease in customer traffic, but also speculated that the location of the shop may have caused its decline in business. "Maybe it's hard for people to see under the bridge," she said.

Mayorga Coffee has discussed other possible job opportunities with each of its employees, according to Mayorga.

Mayorga has been in its Silver Spring location since 2003, hosting poetry slams and music performances in addition to providing pastries and freshly-brewed coffee. Ventrice said that the shop is home to many regulars who will be sad to see the location close. "I think a lot of people are going to miss us, especially at this location," she said.

Business for the eight other Mayorga Coffee shops in Maryland and Virginia has been growing despite the economic depression. "We're a small business, we have great employees," Ventrice said. "People are looking for better coffee and that's something we can offer." There will be new shop openings nationwide in response to this general increase of sales.

Blair senior Diane Adamson has been a barista and cashier at Mayorga since late August and she realizes the great impact the closing will have on Silver Spring. "It's a nice place for the community," she said. "There's not another place like that around here."