Vanessa's Coffee Shop in Lake Nona and a Promise to Own a Coffee Shop Someday

Some coffee shops come with a menu. Vanessa's Coffee Shop in Lake Nona comes with a story. In his own words, City Editor Jorge's caption for his photos calls Vanessa's coffee shop in Lake Nona "One of the local favorites with a great history behind."

The shop is easy to place. Lake Nona Social reported on January 24, 2020, "Vanessa’s Coffee Shop is now open in Lake Nona. It’s located in the Nona Park Shopping Center 9474 Narcoossee Rd, Orlando, FL 32827." Jorge's exterior photo shows the storefront with maroon awnings in a strip shopping center. The shop's Toast page lists the same address, 9474 Narcoossee Road, Orlando, FL 32827.

On that Toast page, the Lake Nona shop describes itself this way: "A peaceful, family friendly environment where you can enjoy of a wide variety of Breakfast and Brunch options."

That is the what. The why goes back to a donut counter in Puerto Rico.

A promise made in Puerto Rico

The shop's website, vanessascoffeeshop.com, tells the story in a section called Vanessa's Story. It begins, "She was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico."

The website says, "Her first work experience was at 16 years old at a Dunkin Donuts in P.R." It adds that "she got the job as a cashier at the famous donut and coffee shop."

The next part of Vanessa's Story on the website reads, "It was there where she met her husband Eliezer to whom she has been married to for 25 years."

The website goes on, "They promised each other they would own their own coffee shop someday."

Then the website jumps ahead. "Two and a half years ago, God granted her dream."

Vanessa's Story on the website closes with a verse, "I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me." from Philippians 4:13.

Vanessa's Story on vanessascoffeeshop.com says, "Additionally, Vanessa is the CEO of HVAC of Puerto Rico and HVAC of USA."

Inside the Lake Nona shop

Jorge's photos give a sense of the room. One shows a communal table and a logo greenery wall. Jorge's photos show a lounge corner with a sofa, shelves and the quote wall.

Jorge's photos also show the pastry counter with a cold brew tower and window seating.

Then there are the lattes. Jorge photographed two lattes with heart latte art in pink cups.

Coffee on the walls

In Jorge's photos, a wall map titled "THE BEAN BELT" runs down the corridor. It has numbered coffee origin panels such as "1 PAPUA NEW GUINEA," described with a semi sweet chocolate aroma, cocoa flavor and hints of cherry.

His photos also show a "Know Your Coffee" wall listing Espresso, Double, Macchiato, Americano, Cortado, Cappuccino, Latte and Mocha.

The shop's Toast page explains the focus behind the walls. "We specialize in Espresso using Specialty Coffee," it says. "It is our mission to focus on delivering a rich and flavorful Espresso with the right calibration."

What to order

The brand's Facebook page, "Vanessa's Coffee Shop," sums up the offer in its intro: "Coffee Shop | Breakfast | Brunch". Jorge's photo of the food menu board lists Lake Nona's Sunrise, Vanessa's Supreme, Birthday Pancakes and Strawberry Shortcake French Toast. Jorge's photo of the food menu board also lists an Acai Bowl, Sunrise Tacos, the Lake Nona Sandwich, a Cuban Sandwich, a Tripleta Sandwich and Mallorca. The Cuban Sandwich is served inside their Cuban bread.

His photo of the drink menu board lists Cortadito, Vanilla Raw Iced Latte, White Chocolate Lavender Latte, White Chocolate Strawberry Latte, Guava Passion Fruit Smoothie, Matcha Tea Latte, Chai Tea Latte and Blackberry Lavender Iced Tea.

Jorge's photo of the drink menu board also lists muffins in Blueberry, Cranberry Lemon and Chocolate, a Sugar Cinnamon Donut and Cinnamon Rolls.

From shop to roaster

Vanessa's Story on the website also says, "In March 2024, Vanessa began a new business venture, with Vanessa's Coffee Roaster officially becoming coffee roasters."

The Florida corporate record lists VANESSA'S COFFEE ROASTER CORP as an Active Domestic Profit Corporation, filed December 14, 2021 in Saint Cloud, FL. The roaster's online shop sells Her Blend Instant Coffee.

Lake Nona context and if you go

Lake Nona is a 17 square mile mixed use planned community within the city limits of Orlando, southeast of Orlando International Airport. Lake Nona Medical City contains several centers for biomedical research and education, including the University of Central Florida College of Medicine.

Vanessa's Coffee Shop is in the Nona Park Shopping Center at 9474 Narcoossee Road, Orlando, FL 32827. Check hours before you go.

The short version

Vanessa's Coffee Shop serves breakfast and brunch in the Nona Park Shopping Center at 9474 Narcoossee Road in Lake Nona, Orlando. Its website says Vanessa was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, got her first job as a cashier at a Dunkin Donuts in P.R. and met her husband Eliezer there. The two promised each other they would own their own coffee shop someday. On its Toast page, the shop says it specializes in Espresso using Specialty Coffee. Check hours before you go.

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