Sumaq Coffee: Peruvian roots, Queen City charm
December 27, 2024
Family-owned Sumaq Coffee on South Boulevard is a not-so-hidden gem.
by Caroline Lubinsky | photographs courtesy Sumaq Coffee
Sumaq, the Quechua word for the beautiful fulfillment of life, sums up the light-filled coffee shop on South Boulevard that goes by the same name. Walking inside, you’re greeted by the steady hum of guests chattering, rattan seating, plenty of plants and a coffee menu spelled out on a letter board. There’s a food menu, too, if you’re in the mood for a pastry or sandwich.
The design is bright and airy, and that’s exactly what owner Alicia Amparo Silinski envisioned when Sumaq opened its doors three years ago.
“It’s simplicity,” explains Silinski, a Peru native who runs the coffee shop with other family members. “From the beginning, we wanted to have a clean and open space that portrays our childhood home without having to overload it with decorations. We wanted to create an environment in which our coffee, drinks and food are the main protagonists.”
And their food and drink certainly are the main characters. I’m partial to their iced vanilla latte (I come in so often, the staff knows my name and order) and the cheesy Sumaq waffle, with a tangy guava sauce for dipping.
Besides a healthy slate of coffees including cappuccinos, pour overs and cold brews, Sumaq also offers matcha, lemonade, tea and chicha morada: The native Peruvian drink made of purple corn, fragrant spices and fruit is another homage to Silinski’s home country.
If you’re a first-timer, the owners recommend trying the bestselling Sumaq Latte, made with a not-too-sweet homemade brown-sugar simple syrup and cinnamon. From the food menu, the Wasi (which means “house” in Quechua) sandwich is a good bet: bacon, chicken, caramelized pineapple, melty cheese and a pepper sauce on toasted bread.
Silinski came to the United States in the early 2000s to start a new life after hearing family members speak about better opportunities in America.
“The idea of Sumaq was born when years ago I noticed that there was no place to have a peaceful meeting in the area,” she explains. “Once I was able to develop this project, I also wanted to portray a piece of my childhood home in the design, incorporating touches of my culture in the menu, which is why many of our items have Quechua names.”
Silinski created Sumaq to be a space where people from all walks of life can gather for a business meeting or a casual meetup with friends. As a remote worker, I often find myself drawn to Sumaq’s comforting environment multiple afternoons a week. Local celebs have been known to frequent the shop, like Charlotte FC forward Kerwin Vargas, with his family in tow.
So, what’s ahead for Sumaq? Silinski doesn’t rule out expansion, but she and her family aren’t imminently focused on it. Instead, they want to be purposeful about next steps — and how the shop can have an impact on their native Peru.
“We’re in the process of involving ourselves more deeply with native communities in Peru,” Silinski says. “We want to offer a window of growth and exposure to Peruvian local coffee production and bring it to the tables of Sumaq.” SP
Sumaq Coffee is located at 6259 South Blvd. sumaqcoffeeclt.com
