Some businesses are built to make money. Others are built to build community. Urartu Coffee in Glendale, California is the latter — and it has been for over 22 years.
Named after an ancient Armenian civilization that dates back thousands of years, this family-run coffee shop sits at the heart of Artsakh Avenue in Glendale, CA — and has become a quiet landmark in the Armenian community. We sat down with the owner for an honest conversation about heritage, resilience, speed dating, and oat lattes.
Q&A with Youra Ghazalian, Owner of Urartu Coffee
Growing up in an Armenian household, coffee was essential in our daily lives. We wanted to share that experience with the Glendale community. We are grateful to have served our community for over 22 years.
Urartu, also known as the Kingdom of Van, was an ancient civilization in the Armenian Highlands thousands of years ago. To me, the name represents our heritage, culture, resilience, and identity.
Growing up in an Armenian household, it's very rare not to be introduced to coffee early on. My sister and I would make Armenian coffee for our parents. As we got older, we learned the art of using an espresso machine as a family. Coffee has always been my go-to drink, and I'm grateful to share that passion and knowledge with our community.
As my mother Lora says, "This isn't just a coffee shop, it's our second home — and our customers aren't just customers, they are our guests." We are more than a coffee shop; we are a community.
"This isn't just a coffee shop, it's our second home — and our customers aren't just customers, they are our guests." — Lora, co-founder
The most rewarding part is knowing we've built something that has lasted. We started before Facebook and Instagram existed. We have faced many challenges, including a recession and lockdown, but we never gave up. We've created a community, a family, and a legacy.
The speed dating events were inspired by my own love story — meeting my future wife. Together, we wanted to create something meaningful that brings Armenians together to connect and find love in real life. We are currently working on our next events and launching a website. Keep your eyes peeled: armenianspeeddating.com
In any business, the biggest challenges are external factors — the economy, government regulations, technology, and social changes. Fortunately, I majored in business and have been involved in the business world from a young age. I've used that experience to help grow our family business.
The Honey Oat Latte and Banana Oat Latte have been very popular recently. With our specialty drinks, we always focus on taste first rather than what is just Instagram or TikTok worthy.
Create a space for your community. A coffee shop should be a place where people come together. I've seen many cafes in LA open with limited seating and only to-go options, which doesn't create a welcoming environment. It's not an easy journey — there is a lot of stress and pressure as a business owner — but successful business owners are the ones who push through challenges.
22 Years and Counting
What strikes you most about Urartu Coffee isn't just the coffee — it's the continuity. In an industry where most cafes don't survive their first five years, 22 years is a statement. It says something about the community that keeps coming back, and even more about the family that keeps showing up.
From Armenian coffee made for parents as a child, to an espresso machine mastered as a family, to a Glendale institution that has outlasted a recession, a pandemic, and every trend cycle Instagram has thrown at the hospitality industry — Urartu Coffee is proof that when you build for community, community takes care of you.
Find Urartu Coffee on the SupportArmenian directory.
📍 119 N Artsakh Ave, Glendale, CA 91206
📞 (818) 242-9666
🌐 urartucoffee.com
📸 @urartu_coffee