Queer couple donates ‘Love Blend’ coffee proceeds to LGBT Center

The San Diego LGBT Community Center once provided support and guidance to Cynthia Hillman and Emma Strong, the owners of coffee house Cuppa Cuppa (pictured above left with the entire coffee house team pridefully wearing their Love shirts). Now, the pair are giving back with the launch of their newest offering, the Cuppa Cuppa Love Blend, a flavorful medium roast.

“I was 25 when I came out. I wasn’t out to friends or family,” co-founder Hillman said. “The Center was a great place to help navigate that.”

With every purchase of the Cuppa Cuppa Love Blend, $2 will be donated to the Center, which provides life-saving support services for LGBTQ+ San Diegans of all ages. The blend brings together beans from Guatemala, Brazil and Ethiopia – that are roasted right here in San Diego.

“Our Love Blend represents more than a cup of coffee,” Hillman said. “It embodies our commitment to create a more inclusive and accepting society.”

Hillman and Strong met while attending SDSU and became fast friends. Their friendship became something more and the couple has now been together for 26 years.

Eighteen years ago, they founded Cuppa Cuppa, a specialty coffee shack and drive thru that has now expanded to two locations in Mission Gorge area. The couple is committed to pouring love into every cup with their fresh, high-quality coffee.

Find the Cuppa Cuppa Love Blend at 6606 Mission Gorge Road, 4440 Twain Ave. #102 or online at cuppacuppacoffee.com.