Our History
Launched by Focus Points Family Resource Center in October 2016, this purposeful restaurant was formed in direct response to the community-identified need for economic opportunity in the face of gentrification. Since Comal opened its doors, the training program has served 24 participants and helped launch 4 businesses.
Our Model
This multi-purpose kitchen incubator takes a form of 18-24 months training program, during which cohort participants train in the Comal restaurant to learn on-the-job skills, test their heritage recipes and grow with a restaurant owner mindset. Everything on the menu is made from scratch, reflecting the heritage of each entrepreneur.
Why It Works
The economic development aspect of Comal is a “earn while you learn” model. This follows the philosophy of a family resource center to support families in financial sustainability. While participants are learning on the job they are also earning a stipend to support their training efforts. The stipend is positioned as economic support to participants who might not otherwise be able to invest this time into training and developing their business.
Our Outlook
Comal is designed to be a place where different cultures can be bridged, shared, and cherished. With the rapid development of Denver, and the increase in costs, Comal is providing the space needed to keep entrepreneurship local and thriving.
Support Comal-launched Businesses
Prieto's Catering
Zaki Mediterranean Cuisine
Zaki Mediterranean Cuisine
Prieto’s Catering, founded by Erika Rojas, is a Mexican food truck that sells authentic and delicious food located in Aurora, CO, offering a variety of tacos, including the famous birria tacos everyone is raving about! Prieto’s also serves popular Mexican dishes made fresh, such as tamales, tortas and burritos.
Zaki Mediterranean Cuisine
Zaki Mediterranean Cuisine
Zaki Mediterranean Cuisine
Zaki caters fresh, healthy, and vibrant dishes inspired by cultures from across the Mediterranean. Influenced by an Iraqi-Syrian mother and daughter’s journey to find home, Zaki’s dishes reflect a twenty-year journey of food and culture through Syria, Iraq, Turkey, and Greece. Freshly baked homemade pita, smoky baba ghanouj and refreshing fattoush salad will inspire your gatherings.
La Catrina Grill
Jebena Ethiopian Coffee & Culture
Jebena Ethiopian Coffee & Culture
La Catrina Grill caters made from scratch Heritage Mexican cuisine to ensure your event is a unique experience. Born in Mexico City, Silvia Hernandez is an expert in Mexican cuisine with a passion for making food fun.
Jebena Ethiopian Coffee & Culture
Jebena Ethiopian Coffee & Culture
Jebena Ethiopian Coffee & Culture
Jebena Ethiopian Coffee & Culture serves authentic Ethiopian coffee in the traditional style. We offer coffee ceremonies that let you experience coffee with all five senses.