Beloved Mexican coffee shop Tres Leches Cafe has closed its south Phoenix location after six years. The last day in business was Sunday, Sept. 6. The closure was announced in a video on the cafe’s Instagram page on Sept. 3.
“We’ve been here for six wonderful years. Thank you so much for all the blessings,” owner ET Rivera said in the video.
Rivera shared that the staff from the cafe would not lose their jobs, moving instead to work at the cafe’s Coronado location, which would remain open “for the rest of the month.” He also said that some of the cafe’s equipment and furniture would be available for sale.
He cited Arizona’s slow summer season as the reason for the closure, stating that 2026 has been an especially difficult year for both businesses and customers. In an interview with The Republic, Rivera said he’s “never seen a summer like this.”
“We’re just not seeing volume that we’ve seen in the past. This summer has been super tough, I think all over,” Rivera said in the Instagram video. “We really need your support … at the (Coronado) location.”
On Wednesday, Sept. 9, Tres Leches shared a follow-up post to their Facebook page that stated all operations for Tres Leches Cafe would close by the end of 2026.
Rivera shared with The Republic that the Coronado location would be closed by October.
Tres Leches Cafe opened its first location in Phoenix twelve years ago. But after filing for bankruptcy, Rivera said the business will have to close for good.
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Joe Ramirez takes a customer’s order at Soundtrack Coffee in Phoenix on Aug. 20, 2026. The coffee shop is located inside Phoenix Mexican restaurant Chilte.
To go: Coffee carts are moving in
(Diannie Chavez/The Republic)Fans say goodbye to Tres Leches Cafe in south Phoenix
Rivera’s video announcing the South Phoenix closure garnered over 2,000 likes and several comments from fans sharing their feelings.
One Instagram user commented, “I use to drive up from Tucson for 6 years and now I’ve lived here for the last 3. Times are hard and I hope we keep this local business going.”
Another wrote, “Unfortunately it’s just such a hard time. I pray that the McDowell location grows exponentially for you. We can’t lose you guys completely. You guys are truly a staple in the community.”
Rivera told The Republic that while his time as the owner of his own coffee shop has come to an end, he would like to stay in the industry and help out at other cafes or restaurants in the Valley. He also said he plans to continue to use the brand’s large platform for political engagement and activism.
Dining and Cooking