A Compton couple and owners of the specialty roaster Patria Coffee hope to bring a new shop to the neighborhood. Deanna and Geoffrey Martinez have turned to the crowdfunding launchpad Indiegogo to raise $45,000 for their coffee shop campaign. So far, they have raised 29 percent of their funds. 

While sharing their business operations and planned site in a short video, Geoffrey Martinez explains, “As a business, it’s important that I do something to help make this a better community.”

The couple wants to bring high-quality and sustainable products directly to Compton, while offering a convenient shop for residents to get a good cup of coffee. Per Eater, they have also expressed their desire to provide hiring opportunities for those who are usually turned away from the job market for a number of reasons.

There are currently no specialty coffee shops in Compton, but it is difficult to tell whether the community would be receptive to the new business. Weird Wave Coffee, which recently opened in another South LA neighborhood Boyle Heights, was met with gentrification protesters on their first day in business. 

If the couple successfully raises enough funds, the plan is to open the Compton shop in September.