09/16/2026
☕ Grant Recipient Spotlight: Papercup Coffee
Meet Papercup Coffee, a unique Middle Eastern–Italian café bringing together coffee, culture, and community in Santa Ana.
Owner Mervat Gabrielle Kharoufeh opened Papercup Coffee in 2024 after years of dreaming of creating a space of her own. Drawing from her background in hospitality and entrepreneurship, Mervat created a café where classic Italian flavors meet Middle Eastern influences, featuring premium Italian espresso, freshly made sandwiches, traditional desserts, and original creations.
As a recipient of the City of Santa Ana’s Small Business Incentive Program, Mervat shared how the program helped support Papercup Coffee during its first year in business:
“The City of Santa Ana has been very helpful and supportive from day one, and the incentive I received helped me a lot and gave me a little push during my first year as a small business. They work with you to take the right steps, help you with marketing tools, and walk you through it efficiently. Thank you, City of Santa Ana, for helping small businesses.”
We’re proud to support local entrepreneurs like Mervat as they invest, grow, and bring new experiences to the Santa Ana community. 🍂 Be sure to check out Papercup Coffee’s seasonal fall menu, featuring pumpkin spice, maple butter, and other fall-inspired favorites!
📍 Papercup Coffee
