After months of anticipation, Café Tropical in Silver Lake is set to reopen its doors this weekend, much to the delight of the neighborhood residents who have sorely missed the beloved Cuban institution. The café, which abruptly closed its doors in November, is making a comeback under new ownership.
At a soft reopening event on Thursday, the new owners, Danny Khorunzhiy, Ed Cornell, and Rene Navarrette, welcomed patrons back to the nearly 50-year-old establishment. The limited menu featured breakfast sandwiches and coffee, offering a sweet reunion for loyal customers.
The outpouring of support from the community has been overwhelming, according to Khorunzhiy. The official reopening to the public is scheduled for Saturday, with regular business hours from Tuesday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Café Tropical has been a fixture on Sunset Boulevard since 1975, serving as a hub for Cuban American businesses. Following a family legal dispute, the café, along with its sister businesses, restaurant El Cochinito and bar Bolita, unexpectedly closed its doors, leaving a void in the community.
Not only was Café Tropical a cherished coffee shop, but it also served as an unofficial gathering place for those in addiction recovery, hosting meetings day and night in a rear room. The café held a special place in the hearts of many, including Khorunzhiy, who has frequented the community room for the past 15 years.
When Khorunzhiy learned of the café’s closure, he rallied the community to save it, enlisting the help of Navarrette and his brother, Eddie Navarrette, executive director of the Independent Hospitality Coalition. With support from the coalition, the group worked tirelessly over the past few weeks to prepare for the reopening, even rehiring former staff who were left unpaid after the closure.
As the café prepares to welcome back its patrons, there is a sense of excitement in the air, with guests eager to reclaim their favorite tables. With plans to expand the menu in the near future, the revival of Café Tropical marks a significant milestone for the Silver Lake community, breathing new life into a cherished establishment.
