Ajeno Cafetería

How did this place come about and what made it different from the start?
Ajeno started more as a feeling than a plan. The idea of ​​a coffee shop had always been there, but for a long time it existed only in my ideals, something that hadn't yet found its moment. Eventually, the opportunity arose to make it a reality, and that's when the idea took shape: to create a space that didn't feel entirely personal, but rather a place anyone could inhabit emotionally. From the beginning, what made it different was that intention: we didn't just want to serve coffee, we wanted to build an atmosphere where people could feel removed from the everyday, even if only for a few minutes.

What part of the day, space, or creative process do those who work here enjoy the most?
There's something very special about the in-between moments: when the space isn't completely full or empty. We truly enjoy observing how the space changes with the daylight and how each client inhabits it differently. In the creative process, the most enjoyable part is thinking about small details—a phrase, a texture, an image—that ultimately build the complete experience.

If someone is coming in for the first time, what should they not miss?
More than anything specific, they shouldn't miss the moment of pause. Sitting, observing, a little chat, listening. Maybe a coffee and a cookie, but above all, the feeling of being in a place that demands nothing more than simply being.

What has been an interesting challenge that has made you rethink something about the project?
One of the biggest challenges has been understanding that growth doesn't mean losing our essence. It has made us constantly rethink what is truly Ajeno and what is just external noise. This process has helped us make more conscious decisions and better protect the project's identity. 

What influence, idea, or reference continues to shape the way you work today?
We continue to be guided by the idea of ​​the "foreign" as something that doesn't quite belong, but at the same time feels close. This duality is the basis of everything: in space, in flavors, in communication.  

What place, project, or person has inspired you recently and why?
We're greatly inspired by projects that manage to build identity from simplicity. Places where each element seems small on its own, but together they create something truly authentic. That coherence is something we constantly strive for.

If your space could invite someone to collaborate for a day, who would it be and what would you do together?
Perhaps someone who understands coffee as a creative language, not just a technical one. I've always been an art lover, so we'd probably do some kind of intervention in the space: a mix of a special menu and a small visual exhibition—art, photography, something like that.

Is there an object, corner or detail of the place that has a story that few people know?
It's funny, because in a way, the space was already foreign before it became foreign. Much of what exists today was already there, but over time we gradually appropriated every corner, giving it intention and meaning. What once didn't belong to us now has a story, an emotion, or a decision behind it. Perhaps that's the detail few know: that the place wasn't built from scratch, but rather transformed until it felt like ours, without ceasing to be foreign.

If this project were a city, a book, or a record, which would it be and why?
It would be like a notebook: fragmented, intimate, sometimes unfinished. Something that doesn't necessarily follow a clear structure, but feels honest on every page. Ajeno draws heavily on the inspiration of intimate feelings. Ajeno Cafeteria doesn't strive for perfection, but rather seeks to be a part of each person who feels free to share their day, how they feel, even becoming almost like friends: in short, the feelings and stories of each person who is part of Ajeno Cafeteria.

Answers by Edgar Alfaro, Founder and Creative Director of Ajeno Cafeteria.