LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Two sisters from Colombia have opened a coffee shop in the Arts District, bringing generations of family coffee expertise to Las Vegas while showcasing their cultural heritage.
Alexandra and Karol Rodriguez, owners of Iwana Coffee Shop, immigrated to the United States to build on the coffee legacy their family established in Colombia. The Rodriguez family has been involved in coffee production for generations in their home region of Neiva, Huila.
“We loved Las Vegas because we want to bring our story and show the people of Las Vegas that it’s not just gambling, drinks, and entertainment, but that there’s also the possibility of showcasing cultures,” Alexandra Rodriguez said in Spanish.
Family coffee tradition spans generations
The sisters grew up surrounded by every aspect of coffee production, from farms to processing, all in Colombia. Their grandfather started the family’s involvement in the coffee industry, followed by their father.
“We are from Colombia, from a region called Neiva, Huila. My grandfather started the whole line, then my dad, and we grew up watching our father doing all this on farms, in the fields,” Alexandra Rodriguez said.
At their Arts District location, the sisters are completing the coffee journey they never experienced before — bringing their Colombian coffee expertise directly to customers’ tables.
“We’re so proud of what we’re doing right now, because opening a shop in the Arts District is, like, showing the people where we grow up, our roots, and what we have been doing during all our life,” Karol Rodriguez said.
Immigrant business owners overcome challenges
The Rodriguez sisters described their journey as Latino business owners and immigrants as challenging but rewarding.
“It’s not easy, like learning a second language, different culture, leaving your family, and everything is hard,” Karol Rodriguez said.
For the sisters, the coffee shop represents another chapter in their family’s story, taking what their family built in Colombia and establishing it in Las Vegas.
“We all share that goal, that desire to show that we are good people, that we have so much to give to this country, that we contribute so much,” Alexandra Rodriguez said.
The sisters said the coffee shop is just the beginning of their plans to grow in Las Vegas while maintaining pride in their Colombian roots. They hope their story inspires others to take the leap of faith and start their own businesses.
Copyright 2026 KVVU. All rights reserved.
