A taste of El Salvador is brewing at Rivers Cafe USA in Floral Park
News 12’s Jenn Seelig caught up with the owner of Rivers Café to see how her roots shape her business.
More Stories
What started as a simple plan to sell coffee beans in 2020 has grown into a full coffee shop experience for Rivers Cafe USA owner Abby Rivera.
Today, Rivera runs nearly every part of the business herself, crafting drinks, serving customers, and keeping the Floral Park shop running day to day. But for Rivera, the cafe is about more than just coffee. Many of the beans come directly from her family’s farm in El Salvador, while others are sourced from countries like Colombia and Brazil, bringing flavors from across Latin America to Floral Park.
Rivera says her customers can get a taste of her culture and a connection to home. “I would say it represents who I am, and who Latino people are,” Rivera said.
From caramel lattes to cappuccinos, customers say the coffee stands out for its bold flavor. “It’s so good. It’s so flavorful, it gives you that spark that you need,” customer Thomas Militello said. And it’s not just the drinks drawing people in. Rivera says her homemade empanadas have become a customer favorite inside the shop as well.
For Rivera, every cup of coffee carries memories of home and family. “Every time I smell it, I feel like I am back home, just drinking coffee with grandma,” Rivera said.
Now, Rivera hopes to continue growing the business, with dreams of one day expanding into a coffee truck of her own. “Every day at Rivers is a dream come true. I always dream to have my own business,” Rivera said.
