This Pilsen Coffee Shop Is Decolonizing Your Morning Latte
Briefly

Anticonquista Cafe in Pilsen showcases a vibrant mural of the quetzal and features artifacts that highlight Central America's history of imperialism. Co-owner Elmer Fajardo Pacheco aims to empower coffee farmers through his cafe, which sells coffee and food that directly benefit workers. Emphasizing fair wages and connections to the farming community, the cafe serves the Chicago Central American diaspora by offering authentic products while combating the challenges of gentrification and exploitation in the coffee industry. Fajardo's journey reflects his discovery of the industry's systemic inequalities that impact farmers back home.
Fajardo Pacheco recognizes the disparity in the coffee industry, explaining that his family and community earned very little for their product despite its immense global value.
The mural in the Anticonquista Cafe encapsulates a history of resilience and activism, representing the ongoing fight against imperialism and exploitation faced by Central American farmers.
The cafe serves as a cultural sanctuary for the Central American diaspora in Pilsen, offering products that connect directly back to the farmers who cultivated them.
Anticonquista Cafe not only provides a taste of home through its food and coffee but also strives to support fair wages for the farmers who produce them.
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