With standing room only, packed to the brim with people spilling out onto the street, Copa Vida Coffee and Tea held its grand opening in Pasadena Thursday night.
The new upscale coffee and tea shop--in the large, former redwhite+bluezz space on the corner of Raymond Avenue and Green Street--promised free coffee, tea and snacks from 7-10 p.m. Thursday and droves of people answered the call for a free custom drink.
Lattes topped with foam art, iced coffee and tea steeped in a retro-looking Alphadominche steampunk machine usually used for coffee were among the beverages served.
Employees seemed to keep their cool and concentrate on carefully crafting drinks, despite the crowd.
Free offerings like open face sandwiches topped with cheese, mushrooms and caramelized onions and tray-passed sweet pastries were quickly gobbled up by the masses and replaced by Copa Vida staff.
A band entertained the crowd about an hour or so into the grand opening festivities.
See photos of the grand opening and menu attached to this article.
Copa Vida focuses on tea as much as it does coffee and its "Enjoy Bar" in the back room will be where patrons can order something extra special like a tea or coffee flight or attend a coffee or tea class or tasting.
For more on Copa Vida's philosophy, chef and other details, go to this Pasadena CA Patch article: http://pasadena-ca.patch.com/groups/business-news/p/copa-vida-coffee-tea-shop-pasadena-old-town-redwhitebluezz-green-street-raymond-avenue-2013-july-august-business-new--tea-experience-coming-soon
Have you been to Copa Vida? If so, what did you think? Share in the comments.
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