Kazkara maps the story of coffee from Latin America to Hazel Park

For siblings Pedro and Valeria Suing, coffee has always been a part of their lives. Together, they are co-founders of Hazel Park’s newest coffee shop, Kazkara Coffee. 

The business was primarily a coffee roaster, hosting event pop-ups. They moved from Canada to the Metro-Detroit suburb after partnering with DTRIOTR coffee, which supported them in bringing Kazkara to a physical location. 

On their menu, they offer classics like cappuccinos and lattes, but something unique to Kazkara is their pour-over, with hints of blood orange — a flavor often unusual in a cup of joe. Other drink items include matcha, soda, and seasonal options.

“Coffee shares a story,” Pedro Suing says. “To us, it’s all about bringing people together. It’s not about needing caffeine, it’s about enjoying coffee.” 

Latin American Roots 

The Suing’s are originally from Ecuador, where their grandfather owned a coffee farm. With their personal connection to coffee through family, they also wanted to honor the local farmers, like the ones they grew up with. 

“Our grandfather’s farm didn’t have an official name, but we often refer to it as la finca de Vicente Suing,” Valeria Suing says. “Coffee on the farm was harvested by our family and processed entirely by hand. It was sun-dried using traditional methods and milled manually in a ‘porrón,’ a wooden vessel used for hulling. Roasting was done over firewood.”

Getting coffee from countries including Brazil, the world’s largest exporter of coffee, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, and their home of Ecuador, their focus is on sustainable and ethical family-owned farms. Each bag traces back to the farms, telling customers the story of how they grow, cultivate, and sometimes ferment their coffee beans.

And the duo have even met some of the farmers they collaborate with, like Hubert and Ximena from Finca La Marquesa. 

“This moment was particularly meaningful for us,” Valeria Suing says. “We had the opportunity to deliver one of our Kazkara bags to them, a great connection to the very people who grow these coffees. The coffee supply chain is often linear and disconnected, but we’re committed to fostering direct relationships with producers whenever possible.”

To also honor their roots, the building, signs, and their logo are splashed in bright yellow, inspired by Ecuador’s flag.

The Suing’s also wanted their coffee to embrace art. Each bag of Kazkara’s beans is designed by an artist with the same national origin as the coffee. On the bags, customers can find the artists’ Instagrams, making it easier for people to find and support the artists. The coffee shop also invites artists to submit their work for potential collaborations. 

“We hope to keep building bridges between art and coffee, both at origin and in our own neighborhood,” Valeria Suing says.

Community Connections 

The Suing’s move to Hazel Park was not only in part because of their partnership with DTROITR, but also because the location was suitable. They’ve noticed growth in the city and felt they could make a great impact through collaboration.

The honey used in their lattes is from a beekeeper down the street, the sign outside, and the flowers on their all-wooden patio are from nearby neighbors. Their pastry goods are also created by a local baker. 

Pedro shares that regulars often come in to chat and ask about their plans for the community and the business itself. There are also groups, like the Sunday Morning Club, hosted by Hazel Park Civil Action Network, that meet at Kazkara, grab some coffee, and walk across the street to the Major Jan Parisi Art Garden — chatting and connecting with their fellow neighbors.

“Kazkara has been such a natural home for Sunday Morning Club,” says Sara Pitchford, founder of Sunday Morning Club. “It already felt like a true third space, welcoming, consistent, and centered on community, so it made sense to gather there. The staff remember your name and ask about you in ways that feel genuine, and the location right next to the Art Park has made it easy for our gatherings to flow outdoors.” 

Pitchford says the club has grown from a small idea on social media to a weekly ritual where anywhere from 20 to 50 people show up. She adds that, at a recent city council meeting, it was highlighted that, because of more people visiting the park, there are plans for upgrades.

“I believe showing up in our communities, in simple and genuine ways, is a radical act,” she says. “The world feels divided right now, but when we take time to know our neighbors and support local businesses, we find how much we truly share. Kazkara shares that same commitment to showing up authentically for the community it serves, and that is what makes this partnership so meaningful.”

The cafe also hosts events like their Sip & Discover, where folks can come in and taste coffees side-by-side while learning about the roasting process and all that goes into their beans. 

Right now, the Suing’s are happy in their little nook of the neighborhood and are excited to continue growing, with plans to offer their coffee products to more local cafes and restaurants, and most notably, a new DTROITR cafe coming soon to Ferndale.

“Every bag of coffee served will come directly from our roastery, ensuring freshness and full transparency,” Valeria Suing says. “DTROITR is more than just a café, it’s a community-driven project.”

A portion of the sales will go towards the initiative, Coffee for Kids, which supports local organizations helping children and their families.

She adds, “As we continue to grow, our goal is to expand not only our footprint, but also our impact — through storytelling, ethical sourcing, and programs that give back to our city and the people behind every cup.”

To experience authentic, Latin American coffee, head over to their brick-and-mortar space located on 21818 John R Road in Hazel Park.