Community Vision Becomes Reality: Craft3 Helps Launch Bonito Café y Mercadito

What began as popular open houses and night markets during the pandemic has blossomed into a permanent community gathering space in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood, thanks to a partnership between local entrepreneurs and Craft3. Daniel and Ismael, a married couple who run a successful photography studio, recognized the need for a community gathering space while hosting events that showcased the work of Latino, LGBTQIA+, and artists of color from around Seattle.

Their vision for Bonito Café y Mercadito was born from these gatherings. Daniel and Ismael wanted to create a warm, welcoming space that would serve their community daily, not just monthly. The café blends Seattle coffee culture with Latino coffee and pastries, while featuring a mercadito (small market) showcasing handmade crafts and artwork from local diverse artists and makers.

Despite their proven track record, Daniel and Ismael were unable to access traditional financing. Banks were hesitant due to some past credit challenges and their limited collateral, even though they had demonstrated their business acumen through their profitable photography studio. The startup nature of the café venture created additional challenges in securing conventional loans.

Craft3 recognized the project's sound business model and potential impact and provided a $70,000 loan to complement the couple's personal loans and successful Kickstarter campaign. The funding enabled them to secure equipment, complete improvements, and have working capital for the business.

Today, Bonito Café y Mercadito is more than just a coffee shop. The café partners with other minority-owned businesses like Fulcrum Coffee Roasters, a local Latino LGBTQIA+ owned roastery, and Selva Central Goods, a Latina-owned bakery. Regular community events, including drag brunches, lotería, and movie nights, further establish the space as a vital hub where Seattle's queer and Latinx communities can gather, connect, and feel truly at home.

Daniel has this to say to entrepreneurs and community organizers: “If there’s one thing we’ve learned and want people to take away from our experience it is that for every “No” you hear, there are 100 “Yeses” waiting on the other side. If you stay authentic to who you are, what you stand for, and how you can raise up your community, then the sky can’t even hold your greatness.”