For San Antonio native Marta Alonzo, coffee has always meant more than just a morning ritual; it’s a symbol of warmth, welcome, and community. Growing up as the daughter of migrant farm laborers, Marta spent her early years in West Texas. There, long days in the cotton fields were followed by evenings gathered around the kitchen table with family. “Drinking coffee around the kitchen table was a time for conversation, decision-making, and family planning,” she recalls. “To me, coffee means you are welcome here, sit down, and make yourself at home.” Those meaningful yet straightforward family traditions would one day inspire Marta to create Sip & Sit with ME Coffee House. It is a community gathering place located at 3244 Mission Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214.
Marta was born in San Antonio, Texas, but her family’s work took them to West Texas when she was just six months old. After spending most of her life there, she returned home in 2000 to be near her parents and family. Today, she resides in San Antonio with her husband, Eddie. She continues to pour her heart into creating a space that feels like home for everyone who walks through her doors.
The inspiration for Sip & Sit with ME Coffee House came directly from Marta’s upbringing. Growing up in a farm laborer household, the kitchen table served as the heart of the home. It was a place where people gathered to talk, make decisions, and enjoy each other’s company over coffee and cookies. That sense of togetherness inspired her to create a space where others could experience the same connection. “The offering of coffee was always the first thing my parents told our guests,” Marta says. “To me, coffee means you are welcome here, sit down, and make yourself at home.”
The decision to open a coffee house did not come easily. Marta spent years preparing herself financially, mentally, physically, and spiritually for the journey ahead. She immersed herself in research, education, and self-reflection to understand not only why she wanted to start a business but also how to bring it to life. With the unwavering support of her husband, family, friends, and what she lovingly calls her “coffee friends,” she was able to turn her dream into reality. Together, they continue to enhance the coffee experience daily as the business grows.
Like many women entrepreneurs, Marta has faced challenges along the way. One of her early setbacks was being denied a potential coffee shop location. This moment, instead of discouraging her, became a source of strength. “After much self-reflection, I used that experience as a tool in my journey toolbox,” she explains. “I would remember this challenge but would not dwell on it to stop me.”
Since opening its doors in May 2024, Sip & Sit with ME Coffee House has quickly become a beloved part of the Southside community. The shop has been featured in numerous print and online articles. As a result, it achieved significant recognition in its first two years. It was named one of the Top 10 Coffee Shops of 2025 by San Antonio Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter. In addition, it was voted #1 in the MySA Readers’ Choice Awards as the Best Local Coffee Shop (non-chain). Beyond accolades, Marta says her greatest joy comes from the relationships she has built with her customers, partners, and local organizations through numerous collaborations.
For Marta, legacy is about much more than personal success. “Legacy to me is to pass on the knowledge, work ethic, and values I’ve worked hard to obtain and maintain, especially to my family,” she says. Her hope is that her journey inspires others to pursue their dreams with intention, integrity, and a focus on making a positive community impact.
What sets Sip & Sit with ME apart from other coffee shops is Marta’s hands-on approach and her commitment to hospitality. “Number one, I will be present at this business,” she says. “I strive to serve great quality coffee with the heart of a servant. I aim to treat others with great customer service and be a spot where the community can come together to engage with one another.” For Marta, every interaction is an opportunity to connect and make someone feel seen, heard, and valued.
Starting a business later in life was something many might have seen as a challenge, but Marta embraced it as a new chapter. After a 38-year career in community-based organizations, both nonprofit and for-profit, she applied her decades of experience in leadership, service, and community engagement to her entrepreneurial journey. “I didn’t know how to start a business at the beginning, but I figured, like anything else, you start by gaining insight, knowledge, and doing lots of research!” she says. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to remind people to connect and engage with one another. Hopefully, they can do so over a cup of coffee.
Marta encourages anyone who wants to connect, collaborate, or simply share a conversation to stop by the coffee house or reach out through social media. You can find Sip & Sit with ME Coffee House on Facebook at Sip & Sit with ME. Additionally, find them on Instagram at @sipnsitwithme. Or, visit their website at sipnsitwithme.com.
When asked what advice she would give to other women pursuing their dreams, Marta’s response is full of wisdom: “Don’t do it alone. Allow people to help you, whether it be advice, experience, or knowledge in the same industry. Seek resources that will be beneficial not only to your business but to you as a whole. Stay aligned with your beliefs, values, and your drive.”
Through her resilience, heart, and devotion to her community, Marta Alonzo proves that it’s never too late to chase your dreams and that sometimes, the most powerful connections begin with a simple cup of coffee.
