By Sandra Iruegas

Espumas owner Gloria Lugo and family
Gloria Lugo, owner of the recently opened Espumas Pub & Café at 119 Guadalupe, is pictured with family members at the coffee shop. From left are son Gonzalo Lugo, daughter Missy Lugo Gonzalez, Gloria Lugo, and brother-in-law José Luis Salas.
Sandra Iruegas

Laredoans can now enjoy the eclectic and soothing atmosphere of Espumas Pub & Café at 119 Guadalupe. Owner Gloria Lugo has created a place to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee, as well as a place to pick up reading material or play a game of checkers.
Espumas serves pastries, gourmet coffees, hot and frozen cappuccinos, latté, mocha latté, espresso, and smoothies such as Espumas' signature drink the Glow Worm, which is made with Irish Cream. Wine and domestic and imported beer are also served and always accompanied with a botana on the house -- cheese and crackers with wine, chips and salsa with beer.
Espumas has the capacity to seat 90 at eleven tables and three comfy sofas. Reading material is found throughout.
"I am an avid reader and I carefully selected the magazines I subscribed to," Lugo said. "I encourage anyone to pick up a book of their choice, start reading it at Espumas and take it home to finish it, if they would like."
Lugo, a native Laredoan, graduated from Martin High School, married, and had three children. Widowed, she moved to California at the age of 38 and began working for AT&T. Her position as a manager took her to many parts of the country. She ended up in San Antonio last year. After working for AT&T for 15 years and after her department closed down, she used some of her severance package for start-up capital for Espumas. Lugo could not think of anywhere else she would rather start Espumas than in her hometown. She recalled that in California just about any corner featured a coffee shop for relaxation, conversation, and a good cup of coffee. Throughout the years Lugo thought of Laredo's need for a place like Espumas.
Espumas is organizing a poetry night for anyone who wants to share his or her talent with others, Lugo said. Espumas will also soon host talent contests for artists who want to be recognized locally. All singers, musicians, and writers are welcome.
Lugo hopes this initial location of Espumas will be a stepping stone to the establishment of four Espumas locations in Laredo. Her goal is to create a meeting place that promotes culture, art, music, reading, and personal growth.
"This is not your everyday coffee shop and pub. You can't help but be transported by the quaintness when you walk into Espumas," she said.
Espumas Pub & Café is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and closed Sunday and Monday. For more information about talent contests or hosting a meeting at Espumas, contact Gloria Lugo at 645-6807.