Quick Words with Joy Mosgofian

-Don't be afraid to be dumb, ask a lot questions

-Keep your vision-Joy is heart-set on providing a venue for the community she loves

-Think Outside the box-ability to think abstractly-avoid the cliché

-Self Discipline and Organization

-It's great to be a people person and do what you like

In an effort to revitalize the Del Paso Heights area, and bring the community together, several new businesses have opened there doors on Del Paso Blvd. These brave new business owners face the challenges of operating businesses in a risky area ripe for development. Joy Mosgofian and her business partner Christy Canlett have created a haven for the community and brought with them a bohemian, multicultural mix of classy design balanced with compassion, community, and worldly awareness. Refugio wins hearts through its virtuous presence, and soothing earthy atmosphere. Unlike the industrial corporate coffee fix of Starbucks, Cafe Refugio is an enticing spot to sit down, relax and chat.

Located at 1901 Del Paso BLVD in Sacramento, the café is as virtuous and good natured as its owners, enticing walkers by to come in and grab a cup. From spontaneous idea, to a jaw dropping reality,the café started with the help of community and family support, Joy and partner Christy pieced together a business that is now the cultural epicenter of the boulevard. Joy not only started a café but created a business standard pushing social responsibility and environmental awareness. The Cafe captures the sense of compassion and awareness that is so present in its owners. Saturday nights, you can catch local musicians and artists showing their work and take advantage of a great venue to mingle and schmooze with the people.

Incorporating morality and community devotion into a business plan, who knew it could be so successful? We sat down with Joy in the café , and chatted it up with the young upstart. Joy, who can be found behind the counter on any day of the week, manages to make a personal connection with just about everyone who walks through the door, making everyone feel welcome and right at home. Social Responsibility, community involvement establish symbiotic relationship with an Art Gallery, church, local businesses, artists and musicians take this café to the next level. Merged with an art gallery and church, Cafe Refugio is embedded in the community and becomes an important element of just about every social event in the area.