Beto’s Bistro
The Bistro was the first core initiative launched by One Collective in 2012. In 2015, $43,000 was invested in the Bistro to expand it into a fully operational restaurant. Since that investment was made, the Bistro has generated over $300,000 in local revenue, sustaining 9 dedicated employees on average, not including other opportunities it has created for interns, suppliers, and local partners. The Bistro has undeniably been recognized as the “face” of One Collective in Masatepe, allowing for a very organic interface with the local community, as well as serving as an entrepreneurial beacon for the youth of the community as being “the cool place to hang out” in their own backyard! Since 2012, the Bistro has been utilized intentionally to employ local leaders who share our core value of seeing lives and communities transformed by the power of God.
Our national staff in the Bistro has launched and sustained three outreaches to the local community using their own resources:
MarimbaFest - This is an entrepreneurship fair that brings together small business and artisans from the surrounding communities to display their wares and services in the Bistro. The theme is the promotion of entrepreneurship and highlighting local small business and budding entrepreneurs. Hundreds of people come through this fair once a quarter and it has grown in size with each event.
OneCup - This is an outreach by our national staff to the least of these in their own community. Children, the elderly, and the poor are invited in for fun activities, a meal, and are sent home with a care package, all provided by the profits from the Bistro. It serves as a platform to share the Good News with those most cherished by Jesus himself.
CafeGospel - This is concert night in which the Bistro brings in local worship bands to host an evening of live music centered around the gospel. Aside from activities like these, the Bistro is mostly agnostic and is run just like any for-profit business. We strive for the community to be able to recognize our value system through our products, service, and atmosphere, rather than by outwardly displaying our faith.
