After exactly one year in business, Aroma De Café, a beloved community coffee shop in downtown Colton, closed its doors for the final time on Jan. 18, 2025. Known for its inviting atmosphere, high-quality offerings, and a 4.6-star rating on Yelp and Google, the shop quickly became a local favorite following its January 2024 opening. However, escalating costs and “insufficient support” from city officials ultimately led to its closure.
“It started getting expensive,” said owner Jesus “Chuy” Villarruel, a Colton native. “All my products went up from the day I opened to the day I closed, and it all doubled in price. I couldn’t keep up with local corporations.”
For the first six months, Aroma De Café was profitable, generating over $1,000 per month in surplus revenue. However, rising costs and external challenges soon eroded its financial stability. “The espresso coffee beans went from $10 to $15 for a 2-pound bag. My turkey and ham for sandwiches doubled, from $7 to $14,” Villarruel explained. Even after raising menu prices by 25 cents six months ago, the adjustments couldn’t offset the mounting expenses. Compounding the issue, Villarruel was locked into a $1,300 monthly, two-year lease for the 640-square-foot space, adding significant pressure to maintain consistent revenue…