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Spirit Winds
Take a visit to Spirit Winds located on 2260 South Locust St. for a variety of food, coffee and rare gifts. Spirit Winds was established 1978 and has grown to become a successful gift source and coffee bar earning the “Best Gift Source and Coffee Bar” from 1996-2003. The shop was once located in Old Mesilla, Lomand and moved over to South Locust Street.
Richard Parra, owner of Spirit Winds has ideas to keep Las Cruces and visitors in liking to his edgy style and rare items in the gift store and coffee shop. Parra is currently getting ready to reconstruct a building in Old Mesilla and open up a restaurant. The plan has taken him five years to finally get it off the ground and get put into action. The restaurant will include a patio for those wanting to sit out with Mother Nature. He is also working with the New Mexico State University sculptor department to have their sculptors be showcased in the future restaurant with the opportunity to be purchased.
Spirit Winds now provides free wireless internet access. On all Fridays NMSU staff and students have a 10 percent discount to all items in the coffee bar and gift store, present school identification card. During the month of December there will be a 20 percent off discount towards Christmas items. Spirit Winds also offers year round discount cards which can be purchased for 10 dollars and it allows you to save 10 percent off all items. There is also a Spirit Winds Coffee Club card in which you must buy 10 coffee drinks and the 11th is free, cards are available by the cash register.
Ben Kalminson, a manager who has been employed with Spirit Winds for about two and a half years, stated it is a “fun and outgoing place to be.”
All pastries are baked fresh daily and special orders are accepted within a 24 hour advance to the pastry chef. All baked goods are used from the “best” ingredients in town.
Coffee Bar 505-521-1222 Gift Source 505-521-0222
Hours of operation: Hours of operation:
Monday thru Friday 7am – 8pm Monday thru Friday 9am-8pm
Saturday 8am-8pm Saturday 9am-8pm
Sunday 8:30am-6pm Sunday 11am-6pm
Milagro Coffee
Follow your nose to the different coffee aromas coming from across the New Mexico State University Pan American Center. Within the shopping center lies a coffee shop with a special variety of coffee beans from all over the world. The owner Bernie Digman calls his creation the Milagro Coffee y Expresso. The name comes from Bernie’s beliefs that it would be a miracle to get his coffee shop up and going, “I figured it would be a miracle if it got going.”
The owner also believes his location “provides a good spot for the community” and is a “good focal point for the New Mexico State University.” His business has been going for eight years and it took him about 16 months to build up his coffee shop.
The coffee Bernie brings to Las Cruces comes from all over the country, including Costa Rica, Brazil, Sumatra, Nicaragua, Kenya, Galapagos Islands, the Cost of India, Guatemala, Colombia, Tanzania, and many other places. The coffee he brings is most popular from the South Pacific, which is special for it being roasted darker. His coffee business has brought him to sponsor several groups and provide coffee for different occasions.
The owner allows those with artistic minds to frame up their work and hang it on his coffee shop walls in hope that someone will purchase their work. “It’s good for people who don’t get recognized in the art gallery.” Once the art work has been purchased, the artist can pick up their money, “I don’t take part in commissions for selling the art work.” The money goes directly to the artist. “Holidays are where more art work is sold.” If there are those who would like any particular piece they are encouraged to purchase it.
If you walk to the back of the shop you will find several tables for those who wish to stay for studying, reading, or use the free high-speed internet that is available to all. Bernie will host live musicians from time to time, if interested keep up with his postings.
Bernie Digman is also a member of the Roasters Guild, which was chartered in 2001 and started membership registration in 2002. The Roasters Guild is a Specialty Coffee Association of America Trade Guild, has over 200 worldwide members, and includes coffee businesses, farmers, importers, exporters, retailers, and commercial roasters.
Bernie spends his time looking for fine coffee to bring to Las Cruces. He also serves breakfast, lunch and baked goods. He sells roasters and other coffee accessories. He is a devoted husband for over 30 years and has a son.
