CLEVELAND — There are a million chain coffee shops throughout northeast Ohio, but nothing beats the vibes of a local café. And at the newly opened Grafe Café on Cleveland's west side, they're serving up breakfast favorites with an atmosphere that passes the vibe check.
"I want it to feel that home, I want [people] to come in and feel like they're in my living room. Just, but just a cool, really cool living room, you know, just like mad art, you know, dope music and just good vibes," said owner and operator, Daisun Lee Santana, describing the space.
Grafe Café, located at 3182 West 25th Street. Santana, who is better known as the B-boy barber, brings a unique approach to the coffee shop business.
"No experience whatsoever. Uh, but what I did have experience with, it's like creating a good vibe," said Santana.
Santana is the head coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team and also owns City Breaks Barbershop located right next door to his new passion, the café.
"Breaking is like my number one thing. That's like my true passion. barbering is more so, you know, something fun that I can do that can fuel my life for dancing, like on the financial side," explained Santana. " And uh, the coffee shop is the place where you can come find me."
And now he’s throwing down in the kitchen, as well as on the hardwood.
"We offer like these really big body, uh, croissant sandwiches that I'll be whipping it up back there. Um, we got some really good coffee, um, from my guy Charlie," said Santana.
Grafe is located in a Hispanic hub on the city’s west side and offers their signature sandwiches, bowls and specialty coffee drinks
"The first thing that makes us different, for one, we're in the Spanish neighborhood. There's not too many, uh, you know, funky, modern and new businesses opening up here as often," he explained.
For Santana, the neighborhood is home. And an area he wants to make sure he gives back to.
"My studio that I first opened was actually around the corner as well, and I went to high school in the block behind," Santana explained. "I feel like you should invest in the places that you're from, you know, instead of seeking out to go somewhere else."
And that’s why his business is so much more than a café. It’s an inspiration for kids who were once just like him.
"You can create opportunities here that cannot only, uh, work for you, but it could also inspire those around who don't have the means to go elsewhere," Santana said.
While this is his newest venture, just like with breaking and cutting hair, he’s ready and willing to put in the work to be the best at his craft.
"What I learned is that I have more to learn, you know, and, but I'm, I'm here for it. I'm here. I'm excited to continue to learn and I'm excited to grow," he said.
*Editor's Note: The video in the player above is from a previous, unrelated report that aired May 10, 2019.