Mother’s Coffee opens in Tségháhoodzání
Navajo Times | Nicholas House
Tyra Jeff, the owner of Mother’s Coffee, smiles while helping customers on the first day of business on Jan. 14 in Window Rock.
Nicholas House
Navajo Times
TSÉHOOTSOOÍ – Tyra Jeff, a 27-year-old coffee enthusiast, launched a new venture here to kick off the year. Before this, Jeff had served communities a cup of pick-me-up or something sweet to satisfy their cravings by running a mobile café in Twin Lakes, New Mexico, outside hospitals, and at local flea markets.
Navajo Times | Nicholas House
A chalkboard menu outside Mother’s Coffee’s suite at Ch’ihootso Indian Market Place in Window Rock.
Mother’s Coffee, nestled in the heart of the capital’s busiest intersection at the Ch’ihootso Indian Market, is in Unit 5. To celebrate its grand opening on Jan. 14, the café offered enticing coffee and pastry incentives to the first 50 customers. A raffle, generously supported by neighboring businesses, and a DJ added to the lively atmosphere, creating a wave on the first day.
Jeff is Naakaii Dine’é and born for Tsi’naajinii. Her maternal grandfather is Tábąąhá, and her paternal grandfather is Tódích’íi’nii. She is from Twin Lakes, New Mexico.
Navajo Times | Nicholas House
A decor wall is on display along with cookies inside the Mother’s Coffee café during its grand opening on Jan. 14.
Jeff chose the name Mother’s Coffee to honor the women in her family who came before her. “Coffee actually is kind of like a tribute to my grandmas and how hospitable they were how they took care of everybody and just even introducing me to coffee and yeah, so it reminds me just a lot of the women in my life and the matriarchy,” Jeff said. She believes the name evokes the women in her life and the matriarchal lineage within her family. Notably, her great-grandmother on her mother’s side, Irene Watson, holds a special place in her family’s hearts. Watson embodies the closeness and traditions that Jeff’s family strives to emulate. By honoring Watson, Jeff aims to continue and bring these values to the Window Rock community alongside her team.
Jeff, before having a storefront, started a mobile café in February last year. “Having the mobile truck was great, but it also left us out in the open (exposed to the elements) We would get very cold,” Jeff said. “But it allowed us to kind of hone in on a little routine in that space we had. Opening a storefront seemed much easier to get going.”
She considers the most challenging aspect of transitioning from operating a mobile coffee truck was during the preparatory phase and renovation, there were moments of uncertainty, but witnessing the culmination of their efforts has been a rewarding experience.
Navajo Times | Nicholas House
Matt Tracy, wearing a hat, takes customers’ orders at the grand opening of Mother’s Coffee in Window Rock.
“I’ve had so many people help from my family, from my friends, and even from the community. The community in Window Rock is so great, even the store owners and people who frequent the flea market were just so kind and have always been supportive,” she said.
Mother’s Coffee, aspiring to become a community hub, plans to expand its menu and host various events like poetry slams, game nights, karaoke, and movie previews. Currently, they offer coffees, lemonades, teas, and pastries, and intend to add juices, more pastries, and breakfast items.On Jan. 14, the grand opening was celebrated with free coffee and pastries for the first 50 customers. DJ services were provided by Stanley Russell as small crowds gathered to enjoy the food, drinks, ambiance, and raffle announcement at 5:30 p.m. that same day. Participating in a purchase at the café would have secured a spot in the raffle.
Local businesses like Tionne’s House of Hair, Grilled Food Café, Marco Arviso Jewelry, and Winston Paul contributed prizes for the raffle.
Mother’s Coffee will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow