The Hernandez family cut a red ribbon outside their new coffee shop Holy Grounds in Live Oak on Saturday, March 29, in celebration of their grand opening event. Photo courtesy of YSBC Sports

LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) - A line of customers wrapped around the block and down the street on Saturday, March 29, in Live Oak, starting at the corner of Fir and California Street. They weren’t waiting for a concert or a celebrity sighting; they were there for the opening of Holy Grounds, an independent coffee shop owned by local businesswoman and Live Oak City Councilmember Ashley Hernandez.

“I’m totally shocked by the turnout,” said Hernandez. “It’s so awesome to see.”

Before she started serving espresso, Hernandez spent more than eight years in property management and maintenance. In the last four years, she has become a pillar of the Live Oak community, currently serving on the Live Oak City Council (2022 to 2026) and appointed mayor in December 2023.

People wait to enter Holy Grounds, a newly opened coffee shop and deli in Live Oak on March 29. Photo by Shamaya Sutton

During her time in office, Hernandez has helped steer the city through critical challenges, most recently addressing a deficit in the Water Fund and advocating for financial accountability to secure infrastructure grants. But despite Hernandez’s civic duties, coffee and connection remained close to her heart.

“When I ran for council, obviously we owned a small business, so I was really passionate about the small business community,” said Hernandez. “What better way to show that than putting my money where my mouth was and doing it here as well.”

Her journey as a “caffeine dealer” started in 2023 with a cute and quaint mobile coffee camper. The eye-catching setup turned more than a few heads with unique flavors such as the blackberry shaken espresso and Pistachio Matcha. The business was also aided by its cheeky and memorable name: Holy Grounds.

A kids play area set up in a fully fenced in yard, part of the newly opened Holy Grounds coffee shop in Live Oak. Photo by Shamaya Sutton

“I’m a really big follower of Jesus, so for me, I wanted something that reflected that without pushing it on anyone else,” said Hernandez. “Luckily, no one local had the same name.”

While successful, Hernandez chose to sell her mobile business to help pay for her new permanent brick-and-mortar location. A tribute to her beginnings stands in the playyard in the form of a mini replica of the original Holy Grounds trailer, skirted by a kids' mud kitchen and sand box.

“I really just saw a need for our community here in Live Oak,” said Hernandez. “As a mom, I always love a good space where you can bring your kids, so next to our coffee shop, we have a fully fenced-in area. Now, parents can bring their kiddos here and enjoy a cup of coffee while letting their kids play without worrying about where they’re going.”

Opening day was a full-blown celebration. The street was blocked off, kids swarmed the Bead Bar and NorCal Rolling Video Games rolled up with entertainment. Even into the afternoon, the line to get in stayed long.

Diego and Ashley Hernandez work together behind the counter of the newly opened Holy Ground Coffee & Deli in Live Oak on March 29. Photo by Shamaya Sutton

“We really don’t have anything like this in our community,” said neighboring resident Mary Hardwick. “The owners would be out here sometimes until 3 in the morning working. I couldn’t wait to see the final results.”

Inside, the space is warm, modern, and inviting, thanks to the hands-on work of Hernandez’s husband, Diego Hernandez, owner of Hernandez Handyman Services & Construction Inc.

“The first month was all demo and at least 15 dump runs,” said Diego Hernandez. “It took a while to get it cleaned up but it’s quite the transformation. Now that it’s open, I feel like I can finally breathe.”

It took the couple seven months to juggle full-time jobs, parenting six children and managing the renovation.

Customers line up down the street and around the corner of Fir Street in Live Oak on Saturday, March 29, in honor of Holy Grounds grand opening. This coffee shop is owned by current Live Oak city council member Ashley Hernandez. Photo courtesy of YSBC Sports

“They definitely have become my new elite employees,” joked Ashley Hernandez, referring to her husband and children.

While the brews might be complex, the heart behind Holy Grounds remains simple: connection.

“I really love connecting with people and I felt like coffee is one great way that you get to do that,” said Ashley Hernandez. “We’re always saying, ‘Hey, want to meet up for coffee?’ And who doesn’t enjoy a good cup, especially if you have kiddos. You need extra caffeine wherever you can get it!”

Holy Grounds Coffee is located at 2624 Fir St., Live Oak. Business hours are from 6 a.m. 2 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

To learn more about Holy Grounds, visit online holygroundscoffee530.com.