A brand new Portuguese-inspired cafe called Borboleta Cafe is getting ready to debut in Rock Hill, located at 2425 Cherry Rd.
Owner Genessis Aviles tells What Now Media Group that she is preparing to open the brick-and-mortar at the NE Plaza Shopping Mall in June 2024. When it opens, customers can expect a warm, welcoming space ideal for anyone who wants to meet friends for coffee, read a good book, or focus on work. Borboleta Cafe, which means Butterfly in Portuguese, will offer an array of beverages, including espresso-based drinks, drip coffee, lattes, and a curated tea program.
“My Godmother used to call me Mariposa, which means butterfly in Spanish,” Aviles tells What Now Charlotte. “This was a nickname that started in my teen years and had carried over well into my adulthood. My Godmother was Portuguese, and I decided to name the shop Borboleta as a tip of the hat to her. She was a constant for me, and I wanted to somehow share her essence with those around me. I thought about a way I could give back while also sharing that safe space she created for me and those around her- and that’s how Borboleta was born.”
For those craving something cool, the cafe will have refreshing iced coffees available. Additionally, the owners of Borboleta Cafe are partnering with a local bakery to provide delectable treats such as tarts, croissants, cookies, and danishes. For lunch, customers can expect classics, such as avocado toast and a deli sandwich option. To celebrate its diverse backgrounds, the coffee shop will also feature seasonal items that reflect various cultures. In addition to serving delicious food and drinks, Aviles, who has a background in finance, will use the space to give back to the community through financial literacy workshops.
“Most people ask how I connected financial literacy with coffee- and I think I can answer like this. Coffee translates into different cultures whether it’s because you’re drinking a cortadito, a latte, an Americano, or a cafe con leche- we understand coffee,” Aviles continues. “Finance is also a language that is understood throughout different cultures whether it’s saving, your first home, budgeting, you name it. So I figured, how do we bridge that gap- we talk finance with a cup of coffee in our hands.”
