During the past 11 years GVA has changed significantly.
By Cheri Brown
Cheri Brown
On May 1 of 2012 Reina (Renee) Carrillo opened Grinds, Vines and Automobilia, a coffee shop/music venue that focused on the three things Renee loved: Free-trade coffee, great wines, and cars.
During the past 11 years the business has changed significantly. The former music area now houses another business, and the menu has evolved from pre-made pastries and coffee into a full-service breakfast and lunch with delicious gelato for dessert. All menu items, including breakfast, are available all day. Recently, the GVA team has extended their hours from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Through those changes Renee has led a customer-centric team, which now includes her daughter Samantha Jensen and son-in-law, James Jensen. GVA is a hub of the community, and all are welcome.
In the first weeks of being open for business the GVA community raised $8,500 for the Tara Romero memorial statue ‘Everyone’s Child.’ Cecelia Ponzini and Edward Boss Prado Foundation were major contributors. “It really came full circle for me, when I was volunteering at National Night Out this year and got to see the statue for myself,” Renee said.
Renee leads through volunteerism, at GVA Café and the community at large. She mentors and fosters at-risk children, giving them the step up that she didn’t have through the County’s Intensive Services Foster Care, volunteers at Tuesday Night Bingo to raise money for our Senior Center and she just completed the Morgan Hill Community Police Academy. She created an opportunity to mentor one of her employees, Kyle Santos, who is majoring in marketing by allowing him to manage the company’s social media.
“It can be challenging for a small business to make ends meet, but I never show up to work, I show up to do what I love,” Renee said.
She creates her own recipes and Morgan Hill loves her food. As with most local businesses, COVID-19 created serious challenges.
“I want to thank our community — they helped us stay in business through COVID and continue to support us.” GVA Café is expanding their hours to include weekend evenings.
Grinds, Vines and Automobilia’s extensive menu includes traditional breakfast items such as waffles, burritos, and sandwiches as well as crepes. Their lunch menu offers sandwiches and salads, with the pulled pork and BLT as local favorites. GVA offers catering that can be picked up or delivered and they do not increase their prices when orders are placed through Door Dash or Google.
The community has supported GVA Café. In return Renee has always been there for the community. She was one of the downtown sponsors of the Morgan Hill Freedom Fest, ensuring it was a success by donating money as well as coffee and food for the volunteers, car cruise participants and the VIP pavilion.
When you talk with Renee Carrillo, her positivity, kindness and adaptability come barreling towards you. It’s impossible not to feel an overwhelming sense of love and inspiration.
Morgan Hill is fortunate to have a business leader like Renee who truly makes our community a better place. Stop by GVA Café, on the corner of Second and Monterey streets from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday to Sunday and enjoy coffee, gelato or one of Renee’s delicious meals.
Cheri Brown is a board member of the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce. She writes articles on behalf of the Chamber highlighting a few of the hundreds of Chamber members. She owns her own independent insurance brokerage, selling Medicare insurance policies. She can be reached at [email protected].
