Haywood Famous, a new Cuban-focused cafe and sober nightlife destination, is preparing to debut later this year in Asheville, located on Haywood Road.
Owner Eva Rodriguez-Cué is opening this concept to highlight the two things that have always welcomed her: Cuban culture and iconic shops, bars, and cafes on Haywood Road and around Asheville. She tells What Now Charlotte that she wants people to feel like they belong to a community and that they are always welcome to come in and enjoy various coffee and treats without the presence of alcohol. Now, she’s getting closer to making that a reality with Haywood Famous.
“I wanted to start a business where I was hosting a party every night and curating the best minds and ideas, music, and coffee in one place,” Rodriguez-Cué tells What Now Charlotte. “There was a coffee shop that my friends and I would go to in high school. We kind of made it our own little home away from home. I always thought that a place like that to go at night for people to be able to express themselves and especially young people to explore different parts of their identities safely would be the kind of business I could get behind starting.”
Whether in the morning for coffee or at night to socialize without the pressure of alcohol, Haywood Famous will be an extremely welcoming cafe. She says opening a brick-and-mortar store is a vital part of the world-building process she envisions for her shop. Customers can expect a consistently calm and laid-back environment where anyone can come to and gather around time and time again. Rodriguez-Cué plans to sign the lease this month and open Haywood Famous sometime in Spring 2024. The concept will start by being open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 pm to 10:30 pm and Friday through Sunday from 5 pm to midnight.
“Although we as business owners always have to pick a target audience, for me, it is young queer, sober artists, I want people to know that this shop is for anyone who wants to experience a different kind of nightlife or just a relaxed and cozy atmosphere among Cuban coffee, books, records, soft music, and great conversation,” Rodriguez-Cué says.
