Just a day before Christmas Eve, plans to gather the family and toast the year’s memories were upended by shocking news. The choreographer connected to City Coffee, a beloved family cafeteria, received word that the building had caught fire today. Beyond the immediate losses, the hardest part was that the blaze occurred in the very place where his mother and siblings were located.
Fortune kept a narrow gate open. While the workplace did not fare as well, the family members managed to escape unharmed, and witnesses watched as the roof of the cafeteria collapsed in a dramatic moment. Poty Castillo shared the scene with his followers through an Instagram post, the clip showing the interior reduced to ash and char. The community watched with heavy hearts, knowing how much this space meant to so many people who had grown up with its doors open. [Citation: City CoffeeA family cafeteria]
Only a few months earlier, the family celebrated the 60th anniversary of Café Urbanos in Torrelavega, a milestone built on hard work and steadfast dedication. That memory added another layer of sorrow as flames spread through the building, threatening not just a business but a family’s long-standing history in the town. One poignant anecdote from the moment reflected the courage of a mother who, despite losing a bag and coat, was saved by an angel-like intervention from Torrelavega firefighters, a story that quickly circulated across social media. [Citation: Café Urbanos history]
The family and supporters have been quick to respond with messages of love and practical help, offering the kind of encouragement that keeps a community connected in tough times. They are grateful for the outpouring of solidarity and understand that now is the moment to lean into resilience. This setback, they insist, will not erase the business’s legacy. Plans are already unfolding to rebuild, undertake the necessary reforms, and reopen Café Urbanos so the community can once more share meals, stories, and the familiar comfort of good coffee. The tone from Poty Castillo and the family remains confident: this incident marks a hurdle, not an end, and they are committed to returning to the neighborhood with renewed purpose and a stronger sense of togetherness. [Citation: Community response]