UC-Personality: Eva Esparza

For many college students, the thought of simply holding down a part-time job while attending classes may be daunting. The idea of going to school and owning a small business is hard to imagine.

For Eva Esparza, UC-Denver accounting major and owner of the Cimarron Café and Grill, located in the northeast corner on the second floor of the Tivoli, it’s a fact of life.

Esparza began pursuing ownership of the café three years ago when she “saw an ad in the newspaper” looking for a company to take over the space. Since she was already on campus attending classes, according to Esparza, it just made sense.

She felt that Auraria “needed good food desperately.” A student herself, she was tired of the fast food options and lack of quality food, so Esparza transformed the café. She said her vision, from the beginning, was “to bring healthy food and make it brighter.”

Cimarron Manager Ana Cass agreed, noting that “[the Cimarron] has undergone a lot of changes in the last year and a half.” Esparza credits Cass for making “small, but very noticeable” changes. Cass not only manages the café, she also provides homemade soups and baked goods.

Esparza decided to feature a menu with a lot of vegetarian options in order “to accommodate the international students,” many of whom do not eat certain meats.

Esparza also noted her own experience of wanting a “nice, cold beer” after classes.  Thinking beer would entice potential customers, she sought out to acquire a liquor license.

The Cimarron now provides beers on tap, including Dale’s Pale Ale and Blue Moon, and house wines as well.

In the future, the Cimarron plans to obtain a cabaret license, which would allow the shop to host open-mic nights and live shows.

Esparza says that she wants her customers “to feel welcome” when they walk into the Cimarron, and solicits customers for advice on how she can improve service by providing comment cards people can fill out if they so choose.

Her contract as owner of the café extends one more year. She hopes it will be renewed.
 

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