Milagros Coffeehouse is one of the social enterprises operated by La Puente Enterprises whose mission is to develop sustainable social enterprises for the common good, which support San Luis Valley charities! The coffee pot was given to Rainbow's End Thrift Store, which was the first social enterprise started by La Puente Enterprises in 1994. Instead of simply reselling it, the thrift store manage
r at the time decided to create a space within the store for people to share their story - she dubbed it "Tea with Sympathy". It's popularity sparked an idea among the Enterprises Board of Directors to open a separate coffee shop business in order to create job training opportunities for those seeking employment. The Unemployment Rate nationally was at a crisis level and it was three times as bad in the San Luis Valley. A public plea was made for the list of items needed for a coffee shop and the response was overwhelming. Excitement was mounting as the target opening of March 1998 drew near. The last technicality was a Health Inspection a month before opening. As the Health Inspector entered the spotless and cozy space he gave a deflated immediate sigh, paused, and broke the news that none of our kitchen equipment would suffice. Commercial equipment was required and unfortunately all of the equipment donated was residential. The Board was so dismayed to find out the proper equipment would cost about $10,000 that it voted to scrap the idea all together. Excitement had been replaced by wide spread sadness. Meanwhile...at La Puente's Homeless Shelter one night shortly after the devastating news, a guest lobbied the other residents to watch a special Colorado Lottery drawing. The Colorado Lottery had a charity program that allowed purchasers of loosing tickets to write the name of a Colorado Non-Profit on the back of the ticket. Once a year they drew the winning ticket and the drawing was being televised that night. The Denver News Anchor spun the tens of thousands of tickets in a huge ball and drew one out...even though he had a hard time pronouncing La Puente Home in Alamosa, the guests at the shelter knew exactly what he said and let out a loud cheer! It seemed like a miracle! Miracle in Spanish is Milagros. What seemed like a good name at the time for the coffee house, has become a great name and one that has become quite well known through the years.
