Creativity, persistence, and a deep sense of place—when those elements align, something truly special happens. That’s exactly what unfolded when Lidia Valdivia, the powerhouse behind Moonstone Builds, walked through my door with a challenge that demanded a different kind of thinking. She introduced me to a group of driven young entrepreneurs, each bringing their heart and hustle to a project in a neighborhood that’s close to me. Their dream was big, but their resources were limited. Rather than let constraints define the outcome, we flipped the script. With our warehouse as their playground, they pieced together a custom tile mural—a testament to resilience, vision, and what can happen when we invest in people bold enough to build something new.
Uptown—this legendary neighborhood that shaped so much of my creative DNA—isn’t what it used to be. Once a vibrant hub, now too many of its storefronts stand empty, their windows dark, waiting for the next dreamers to move in. But change always starts with those willing to build something new.
Just down Lake Street, past the iconic Magers & Quinn, a fresh chapter is unfolding—Mosaic Coffee. And with a name like that, how could tile not be a defining element? Our handcrafted tile is anchoring the barista bar, adding warmth, texture, and a sense of permanence to a space built for connection. This isn’t just about a coffee shop; it’s about reinvesting in a place that will give so much to so many. Neighborhoods thrive with locally-owned, locally-run coffee shops.
About two years ago, we found ourselves at a crossroads. Supply chain disruptions threw a wrench into our production, and batch after batch of tile wasn’t turning out as expected. What started as small imperfections quickly became a mountain of misfit tile—beautiful in its own way but lacking a clear purpose. At first, the sheer volume was overwhelming. Without a formal reclaim process, we were staring down an unsustainable amount of waste.
But where others might have seen failure, we saw an opportunity. Slowly, intentionally, and with the same care we put into our first-run tile, we began reimagining these pieces—not as discards, but as future works of art waiting for the right home. What emerged wasn’t just a process; it was a movement. Our warehouse transformed into a treasure trove of personality-filled tiles, each with its own story.
By breathing new life into what could have been waste, we’ve diverted countless tiles from landfills while making our work more accessible to those who might not have been able to partner with us otherwise. Today, our warehouse is no longer just a storage space—it’s a mosaic of possibility. We’ve placed these once-overlooked tiles into projects with layered stories, humble corners, and even international landmarks.
This effort is deeply personal to me. It’s about taking what was once overlooked and proving that, with vision and care, it can become something extraordinary. That belief fuels everything I do. And now, it all comes full circle with Mosaic Coffee. Uptown is in the midst of its own transformation—challenged, resilient, and ready for renewal. Just like our craft, it’s about reimagining what’s possible and bringing new life to what was left behind.
