The East Village Gets an Infusion of Coffee, Tea & Food from New Copa Vida

Eater readers have been sending in photos of a new coffee & tea concept that's headed into the base of the DiamondView Tower, joining Toast Enoteca and Comun Kitchen & Tavern in the ballpark-adjacent building.

Copa Vida, whose flagship store launched in Old Town Pasadena last summer, will debut in the East Village by the end of the year and may also open in Carlsbad by early 2015.

Partner Sam Hong, who'll oversee the San Diego expansion, told Eater that Copa Vida aims to be "approachable, welcoming, transparent and authentic" with their business, hoping that the coffee shops will be a hub for community life.

The company recently held a crowdfunding campaign to establish their own roastery, so Copa Vida will use their own beans as well as varieties from a carefully curated and rotating selection of top roasters from around the globe.

Their format for coffee consumption ranges from Go, a self-service honor bar for commuters, offered from 7 to 10 a.m., Monday through Friday to Enjoy, which features the full barista counter service, and Experience, an educational coffee bar where they hold special events and classes ranging from latte art to coffee brewing methods. They will also have iced coffee and three iced teas on tap.

Copa Vida will offer a modified version of their food menu, which includes sandwiches, salads and brunch items. The footprint of their East Village outpost spans approximately 1,460-square-feet and includes a mezzanine level for additional seating.