Sipping Success: La Gloria Mexican Coffeehouse & Brunch's Digital Transformation

When Saul and David Navarro left Monterrey, Mexico for Toronto, they knew they had to bring a little slice of home with them. That’s how their idea for Canada’s very first Mexican coffee shop, La Gloria Mexican Coffeehouse & Brunch was born. Located right in the heart of Cabbagetown, their cozy café isn’t just about coffee—it’s about sharing culture, creating community, and celebrating the rich, vibrant heritage of Mexico. The brothers have made it their mission to introduce Toronto to authentic Mexican coffee, sourcing beans from regions like Veracruz, Chiapas, and Oaxaca. But it doesn’t stop there, their café doubles as an art gallery, showcasing the work of local artists and hosting events that bring the community together. The coffee shop has quickly become a neighborhood favorite with over 750 glowing Google reviews. 

When Saul and David set out to create Canada’s first Mexican coffee shop, they knew they needed a strong online presence to match the energy of their physical café in Cabbagetown. However, navigating the e-commerce world felt overwhelming, and they needed guidance to make their business accessible to a wider audience online.  

That’s where the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) came in, offering Saul and David the support they needed to improve their e-commerce presence. CDAP provides businesses with a microgrant, access to an e-commerce advisor, and tools to create an online store. This support was exactly what they needed to grow their business beyond just their local neighbourhood. 

With the help of the CDAP program, they received microgrant funding along with hands-on support from an experienced E-Commerce Advisor. They used the microgrant strategically, investing in advertising on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Through these targeted ads, they were able to reach a wider audience, drawing more visitors to their website and boosting awareness of their brand across social media. 

In conjunction with utilizing the grant to help drive traffic to the website, the owners also focused on making improvements to La Gloria's website – overall enhancing their e-commerce strategy and customer experience at large. 

Their dedicated E-Commerce Advisor worked closely with them to make their website more customer-friendly. Initially, the brothers had launched their website on one e-commerce platform but soon realized that they required some more robust features to enhance their e-commerce. Their Advisor guided them through the entire process of transitioning their website to Shopify, allowing them to adopt new and improved digital features. The Advisor helped them navigate everything from setting up product pages, to configuring payment options and optimizing the user experience. The result? A brand-new website that reflects the La Gloria experience online, making it easy for customers to explore their offerings and place orders seamlessly. The brothers noted:  

“This program really help us to create our website and drive sales to the store… (The E-Commerce Advisor) helped me with the entire process on Shopify. Moving our store to Shopify has allowed us to provide a better experience for our customers.” 

Thanks to the CDAP program, La Gloria is now well-prepared for the future, with a stronger online presence and the tools they need to continue growing their reach. The microgrant allowed them to invest in advertising, while their E-Commerce Advisor helped them launch a streamlined online store. Now, the brothers can confidently expand their business and share the rich culture and flavors of Mexico far beyond Cabbagetown. CDAP has equipped them with the tools to engage a broader audience and sustain their café’s success for the long haul. 

Connect with La Gloria on Instagram, Facebook, and visit their online store sur ce site to experience the rich flavors of Mexican coffee. 

If you’re looking for e-commerce resources to support your business check out the DMS Resource Hub.