A new coffee shop on Classen Boulevard, focused on giving students a unique place to go, had its grand opening earlier this month.
Nella Castillo, owner of The Daily Grindz, developed her love for small business coffee shops while growing up working in them. Castillo felt ready to open her own business after finding the space in September.
When deciding on a name, Castillo took the advice from her partner, Kennedy Brooks, an OU alum and former football player. Brooks suggested a name inspired by the OU Daily because they could advertise it as “a college student's daily routine.”
While deciding on ways to give back to OU, Castillo decided to implement a 15% discount for all OU students and staff.
“We really were trying to get (the university) to integrate us with the campus and let students spend their points here, but we're out of campus boundaries, so we can’t do it,” said Castillo.
Located off Classen Boulevard in the old Goodwill Donation Center, Castillo had to completely renovate the building. After adding new piping, electrical systems and bathrooms, Castillo turned to an old friend, Brandi Kohout, to decorate.
Nella Castillo stands in front of The Daily Grindz before its grand opening.
“I gave her this big poster of pictures off my Pinterest,” Castillo said. “‘This is the feel, this is what I wanted to look like.’ And we just kind of built off that.”
The Daily Grindz offers a variety of items to appeal to as many customers as possible. Castillo said she can make whatever is offered at Starbucks and more.
“I feel like you have to have just to reach everybody," said Castillo. “Sugar free, I feel like nowadays, too is becoming more popular. So it's important for me, if I'm making a drink, I also want it in an option of sugar free as well.”
A unique option, Castillo said, is their Lotus energy drinks, which are made with plant-based energy, B vitamins and natural caffeine.
“We have a base and you build up that,” said Castillo. “If you want something more strawberry, or if you want raspberry, or if you want something sour, you can literally do whatever you want.”
The three adjectives that Castillo said she strives for at The Daily Grindz: consistency, welcoming and uniqueness. She trains her baristas to be friendly and creative and allows them to create their own menu items.
The Daily Grindz is open 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6:30 a.m to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. More information can be found on its Instagram and Facebook.
This story was edited by Madisson Cameron. Tori Pham and Grace Rhodes copy edited this story.
