Santos is an independently owned coffee house located in the booming neighborhood of North Park. After managing the shop for two years, Magalig Jay-Snyder bought the business, which has been serving local customers since 2000.

“What makes Santos unique is that we roast our own coffee,” Jay-Snyder said, noting that Santos offers nearly 20 different roasted blends of coffee from around the world. “Our beans are freshly roasted every week in our mico-roaster, in 25-pound batches, to ensure coffee bean perfection.”

The coffee shop offers several blended drinks, including its signature drink called “The Flying Nun,” as well as a special hot chocolate called “Reese’s Peanut Butter 20 Below Hot Chocolate.”

Santos also serves fresh baked pastries, treats and cakes.

“Our cupcakes are a favorite, and our fresh-baked bagels with cream cheese, pesto and tomatoes are the perfect start to any day,” said Jay-Snyder, a 31-year-old coffee connoisseur who for most of her adult life has worked in and managed coffee shops around the world.

Santos offers onsite computers, as well as free Wi-Fi for those with laptops. Additionally, Santos welcomes customers’ dogs to join them on the covered patio seating area.

Jay-Snyder moved to San Diego from Lyon, France in January 2002 and said that she loves living and working in North Park. The small business owner explained that Santos stays very involved in the community and seeks opportunities to participate positively in the lives of its customers.

“We have always helped and will continue to support our neighboring schools by donating gift certificates, time or money for fund-raisers to benefit the children,” she said.

Jay-Snyder has volunteered with FilmOut San Diego the past four years. In June she will take part in AIDS Lifecycle 7, bicycling 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Her goal is to raise $2,500 for HIV/AIDS services at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.