Behind the Counter: A Dream Café Built by Community

A Vision Begins at Home

Opening a restaurant often sounds like a dream: good food, cozy vibes, and community connection. But for me, it started with something quieter—a longing.

I wanted to create a space where people could feel at home. A place that honored Cape Verdean and Portuguese flavors, but also the feeling of being seen and belonging. Lisboa Café was never just about serving food. It was about telling a story—mine, and ours.

At first, I had a plan. But what brought it to life were the people who believed in it, supported it, and walked alongside me.

This is the story of how a dream and a community turned Lisboa Café into something real.

It Took a Village

Turning that dream into a café took more than grit. It took a community.

Early on, I connected with groups like Dorchester Bay EDC, The Community Builders, and Jamaica Plain NDC. They didn’t just give me resources—they gave me a sense of belonging. I sat in info sessions not knowing the difference between a grant and a loan, but walked away with a growing map of what it really meant to open a business in Boston.

Winning the SPACE Grant was a turning point. It gave me the confidence to say, “this is really happening”—and the backing to keep going.

Chris Hunter from LEAF met with me every week, helping me reshape my business model and make sense of the financials. But more than that, he reminded me that asking for help is part of being a good entrepreneur. That being vulnerable doesn’t mean being unprepared—it means being human.

I found more hands reaching out. Emily from the Mayor’s Office, Hans from Neighborhood Services, Eva, Madison, and Conor—each of them helped untangle a piece of the process, from permitting and licensing to finding local suppliers and promoting the business.

The search for a location became a group effort. I visited sites across Dorchester and Jamaica Plain with support from neighborhood organizations. And when I finally signed a lease at 1078 Dorchester Avenue, it didn’t feel like a solo win—it felt like a shared milestone.

Designing the space, working through health department requirements, coordinating with my general contractor and tradespeople—it was all a dance of collaboration. I leaned on experts, asked questions, made changes, and adapted. And when things got tough, I had people to turn to.

Even sourcing ingredients became an act of connection. I reached out to Portuguese brands like Delta Cafés and Portugalia Marketplace, and Cape Verdean distributors to build a supply chain that felt true to Lisboa’s heart. Every partnership felt like a handshake across the ocean and into our neighborhood.

More Than a Café

At every step, what kept me going wasn’t just the café—it was the people who believed in it. Lisboa Café is more than a place to eat. It’s a space of heritage, visibility, and home.

The process hasn’t been easy. Navigating bureaucracy, fundraising, and design challenges can wear you down, especially as a Black and immigrant woman entrepreneur. But community made the difference.

Neighbors waved. Mentors encouraged. City staff returned calls. Friends showed up. And in those moments, Lisboa Café became something bigger than me.

We Belong Here

This journey has shown me that opening a business isn’t just about having a plan. It’s about building relationships, staying open to learning, and showing up—again and again—for a vision that matters.

Lisboa Café may have started as my dream, but it’s been shaped by a community of people who shared their time, knowledge, and encouragement.

Emily, Hans, Eva, Madison, Conor, Chris—your support made the impossible feel possible.

You didn’t just help me navigate systems. You reminded me that I don’t have to do it alone. And through your help, I’ve come to believe even more deeply that every step forward is also a statement: We belong here.