Inspirada cafe expands space as community hub in Solista Park

The full-service coffee shop in the master-planned community’s Solista Park, 2016 Via Firenze Ave., opened in November and serves a variety of coffee, tea, pastries, sandwiches and more. Its owners are looking to create the ideal place for Inspirada residents to work, study or relax.

“We’re proud to be part of Inspirada,” said manager Timothy Ritter. “We know being involved helps our customers and helps us grow, so we’re constantly reaching out to the community.”

A family affair, owners Gilbert Zhang and Angela Li opened the cafe with financial support from Zhang’s cousins. The group’s dream of owning a coffee and tea shop became reality during their first trip to Inspirada.

“We looked at shops in Las Vegas and Henderson, but most shops were in the middle of plazas,” Li said. “Here, we’re in the middle of a park, and we thought that was very unique.”

The couple — former Zappos employees — moved into the community in 2014 and live a few blocks from the shop. Heavily focusing on customer service, the cafe regularly surveys residents on their food and drink preferences.

“If I’m not in the shop talking with customers, I’m in the park with my daughter and dog, talking to our neighbors,” Li said. “Our customers’ happiness is our No. 1 priority, and we’re always open to new ideas or suggestions.”

Between staff members, there’s plenty of coffee knowledge brewing. The cafe’s pastry chef previously worked at Sunrise Coffee, 3130 E. Sunset Road, and Ritter spent three years at Grouchy John’s, 8520 S. Maryland Parkway.

“I also worked on the Strip for a while, but I feel a lot more involved here,” Ritter said. “I can test my ideas and interact with the customers more. I get feedback and can be more creative.”

The shop creates its brews using coffee beans from Colorado River Coffee Roasters in Boulder City. If customers ask for items that are not on the menu, Li said she encourages her employees to make them if they can.

“We know where our coffee beans are coming from, and we know exactly how they’re roasted,” Ritter said. “We’re trying to get people away from mainstream products and giving them a better sense of how coffee should really taste.”

The couple recently purchased a food cart and plan to operate it at community and sporting events starting this summer.

“We hope to expand our menu to include boba tea, shaved ice, hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries by that time,” Ritter said. “Then, once we start growing more, we hope to take the (food cart) to other events around the valley.”

In addition to the food, Li and Zhang created a Good Neighbor program, which allows residents to borrow household tools and appliances at no cost.

“We’re trying to be more than just a coffee shop,” Li said. “Going to the store can be a far drive, so we thought we could save them time and money by coming to us.”

The couple was also set to open Essential Bark, a pet supply shop, next door to the cafe in late January. The store is set to provide food, toys and accessories.

Jolly Beans is open from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Visit tinyurl.com/z3efh8a or call 702-235-4791.