Feature Article | By Jocklyn Mundy | Photos by Michael Kleinfelt • Windermere Photography
Marcelino (Lino), Celia, and Arianna Hoyo; Sean, Natalia, Royal, and Selah Curran
By the time the sun rises over Windermere’s tree-lined streets, a quiet rhythm has already begun behind the counter at Paloma. The lights flicker on, the espresso machine hisses to life, and the aroma of carefully roasted beans fills the air. But the story of Paloma, and the family behind it, is about far more than coffee. It is a family story brewed over decades, stirred by perseverance, and served with love.
A Chance Encounter, A Lasting Love
Celia and Lino met in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Celia, a striking beauty with a natural elegance, and Lino, quick to smile and effortlessly charming, were introduced through mutual friends. At the time, he was working as a server in a fine-dining restaurant, while she managed a popular retail store. Their connection was immediate, and their shared values and chemistry soon grew into a love that led them to marriage.
Finding Home in Windermere
It was through Celia’s childhood friends that the couple was first introduced to Windermere. At the time, Celia and Lino were living in Winter Springs with their two daughters: Natalia, preparing to start middle school, and Arianna, four years younger. Visits with Windermere friends left them captivated by the town’s charm, the sparkling lakes, the canopy of oaks, and the slower pace of life. “It was so beautiful here, we knew we wanted to call Windermere home,” Celia recalls.
With Celia building a thriving career as a hairstylist and Lino working in real estate, the timing felt perfect. They found a house, which Celia jokingly refers to as a “mini-mansion,” and moved their family into what they believed would be their forever home in Windermere, a dream come true. Over time, they would discover that the true heart of that dream was not the house itself, but the sense of belonging they found within the Windermere community, a feeling that would inspire everything they built together in the years to come.
Trials and a Turning Point
For years, Celia poured her creativity and care into her Main Street Windermere salon. She loved the friendships she built with her clients, yet behind her steady smile, she quietly battled declining health. The pain became so relentless that she sometimes had to sit while cutting hair.
At the end of a day in the Salon, Celia could barely lift her arms, and Arianna, their youngest, would come help close.
Then came the housing market crash of the late 2000s, a blow felt by so many families across the country. For the Hoyos, it meant downsizing to the home they live in today. Though the move was born of challenge, it brought them closer together, and their quaint cottage has since been transformed with the warmth, style, and personal touch that only Celia could bring.
As they struggled between Celia’s declining health and a faltering economy, Arianna offered an unexpected idea: “What if we opened a coffee shop? We could redesign the salon.” At first, Lino dismissed the thought. Having spent time in the restaurant business, he knew how demanding and unforgiving it could be. Yet Arianna’s suggestion lingered. The more he considered it, the more the vision began to align with his heart. Lino has never shied away from hard work, and his true passion has always been people. More than anything, he wanted Celia to be able to focus on her health and step away from the exhausting hours behind the chair.
A family trip to Miami soon gave their idea a clear and exciting path forward. There, they discovered a coffee so exceptional it made them stop in their tracks. The quality was impeccable, the taste was distinct, clean, and unlike anything they had experienced. That coffee came from Panther, a specialty roaster dedicated to sustainable sourcing. Panther uses a meticulously restored 1937 German roaster to craft some of the finest coffees in the world. Lino was hooked, “With this coffee, we have a fighting chance!” Lino said. From that moment, the vision for Paloma began to take shape.
The Name That Meant Everything
On the drive home from Miami, the family tossed around names for their new venture. Nothing felt right until Celia thought of the picture Lino kept tucked in his Bible, a photograph of his mother, who had passed away when he was just 19. That image had traveled with him for decades.
“Why not Paloma?” Celia suggested. The car fell silent. It was perfect. Paloma means “dove,” a symbol of peace, love, and memory. The name instantly rooted the new coffee shop in meaning, carrying a piece of their family’s heart.
Later, when Lino hung the photo of his mom in Palomas, a customer recognized the location of the photo. To their surprise, it wasn’t Puerto Rico, as they had always assumed, but a street in Seville, Spain, where Lino’s mother had studied. That image, once a mystery, had found its way home.
Built by Hand, Fueled by Heart
In just four weeks, Lino transformed the salon into a coffee shop. He did most of the work himself, designing the layout, building the bar, and painting the walls. Day and night, he poured his energy into bringing the family’s dream to life. “I couldn’t watch him wear himself out anymore,” Celia recalls. “So I told the girls, ‘We’re opening tomorrow. Ready or not.’”
On opening morning, a line stretched out the door. It was, in every sense, a family effort, handmade syrups, fresh pastries, and a bar built from scratch. Arianna and Natalia, both in college at the time, worked side by side with their parents. Lino manned the espresso machine, Celia welcomed guests, and the girls took orders, served pastries, and kept the space spotless. Paloma had arrived, and Windermere showed up, welcoming, supportive, and ready for a unique coffee spot to call their own.
“Lino’s infectious laugh is as much of a part of Windermere as Paloma. As a new family to the area, Lino welcomed us to the community, and we are Blessed to call him a friend.” Arjun and Sara Kumar
Coffee, Craft, and Community
Paloma’s menu is simple but intentional—every ingredient matters. Their syrups are made from scratch, their milk is grass-fed, and the caramel and mocha are house recipes. Even the ice gets attention. “People can tell the difference, consistency is everything,” Lino explains, “A lot of places can make great coffee once. But doing it day after day, that is what sets you apart.”
That consistency, paired with warmth, quickly created a loyal following. Locals came not just for the vanilla lattes, but for the people behind the counter. Paloma became more than a coffee shop; it became a gathering place, the backdrop for first dates, parent catch-ups, study breaks, and impromptu reunions. “People come in for the coffee,” says Celia, “but they stay for the good vibes.”
In the early days, when times were especially tight, Lino often worked every shift himself, keeping the shop alive with his charisma and genuine care for each customer. “He kept it open with his personality,” Celia says. “People just fall in love with him.” Their spirit of hospitality is founded in generosity, that philosophy still infuses every cup and every conversation at Paloma.
A New Chapter on Main Street
In tune with the heartbeat of the town they love, the Hoyos are ready for their next adventure. After seventeen years at their current location, eight years as a coffee shop, and nine years before that as a salon, they’re moving just a little south on Main to the historic Parramore House at 625 Main. The new spot is close enough to keep their roots in place, yet offers the perfect canvas for their next vision: Paloma Parlor.
Paloma Parlor will carry the warmth, charm, and beloved coffee of the original café while introducing something Windermere has been missing: ice cream. Natalia, the creative force behind the Parlor’s design, describes the space as “tropical and whimsical.” Outdoor tables will invite families to linger, kids to dance, and neighbors to connect beneath the shade of old trees. “We want it to be a place where people can come after dinner, grab dessert or a glass of wine, and sit outside under the twinkle lights,” Natalia says.
Open from morning until evening, the Paloma Parlor’s menu will pair Windermere’s favorite coffee with an array of desserts, all crafted with the same care and from-scratch ingredients that have defined the café from the beginning. One side will feature their signature coffee drinks; the other, a nostalgic ice cream counter with handmade cones, seasonal flavors, and classic charm. Their caramel and mocha syrups will still be made in-house, grass-fed milk will remain a staple, and their partnership with Panther, their Miami-based roaster, will continue.
And there’s more: the debut of their signature cake pops, favorites of their precious granddaughters Royal and Selah, and, Celia teases, possibly adding a family favorite: a joyfully messy, decadent dessert known as the Turtle Tart.
The decision to leave their original location was not easy; Celia admits it holds deep sentimental value. “But this is better,” she says with a smile.
The Spirit of Windermere
This is more than a coffee shop story; it’s a Windermere story about taking risks, believing in something bigger than yourself, and creating a welcoming space as inviting as a morning sunrise.
Every detail of Paloma is rooted in the Hoyos’ journey. It’s in the walls, the lattes, the laughter, and the people who fill the space. “Paloma belongs to this community,” Lino says. At its core, Paloma is about love, the love of a husband and wife, of parents for their children and grandchildren, and of a family for their town. For granddaughters Royal and Selah, it’s a place where sweet memories are just beginning, where cake pops are a must, and hugs are plentiful.
It’s about the power of showing up, even when you’re tired, and embracing the people and seasons God brings into your life. With Paloma Parlor, the story continues, a little sweeter, still full of heart, and as welcoming as ever to anyone who walks through the door.
Natalia Hoyo Curran
Natalia loved growing up in Windermere; the lifestyle was pure, simple, and centered on family, friends, and the lakes. She graduated from Olympia and then went on to UCF to earn both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in Social Work.
Natalia first met Sean Curran at Discovery Church, and their friendship soon blossomed into love during their college years. They both graduated from UCF, and not long after, they married at the historic Casa Feliz in Winter Park.
Sean made his mark in music early, signing his first record deal at 22 as the lead singer of the Billboard chart-ranking band Bellarive. It was not long after marriage that the Currans felt a call to move to Atlanta. In 2018, Sean launched a solo venture, releasing his first EP, “Bigger Than I Thought”, in 2019, followed by a steady stream of songs, including “Glorious Day” and “1000 Names.” His debut full-length record, Basic Faith, was released in 2024. Sean has led worship at Passion City Church and the Passion Conferences for crowds of up to 80,000, and toured with artists such as Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Crowder, and Rend Collective. His eclectic artistry explores life, faith, and the supernatural mysteries of God.
While Sean was building his music career, Natalia built a thriving creative career in the corporate world before launching her own firm, Santana Creative. Today, she leads large-scale design projects, installations, and experiences for events of up to 3,000 people, conceptualizing and executing both long- and short-term visions for events and building transformations.
After more than a decade in Atlanta, their hearts longed to return to their roots, back to Florida, to family, to the water, and to give their daughters, Royal and Selah, the kind of life Natalia cherished growing up in Windermere. Being home has also deepened her appreciation for what her parents have built. “My parents worked so hard, sacrificed so much, and created something so important, a legacy where I can picture Royal and Selah one day serving ice cream behind the counter,” she says. She’s equally thankful for the opportunities they made possible, which enabled her and Arianna to become the first in their family to graduate from college. “I’m so grateful for them, and so proud.”
Arianna Hoyo
An Olympia High School graduate, Arianna went on to earn both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from UCF, all while working at Paloma. From the beginning, she was a driving force in getting the café open. At the time, she was finishing her undergraduate degree in Sport and Exercise Science, yet she threw herself into building the shop from the ground up, learning coffee from scratch, training alongside her family, and making sure the doors opened on time. “I was really passionate about it and excited for it,” she says. “None of us had ever worked in a coffee shop, so we learned everything fast. I loved being part of the family business.”
Nearly a decade later, her focus has shifted entirely to her counseling career as a licensed mental health counselor working with a group in Winter Garden. Her work concentrates on mood disorders, anxiety, and life transitions, helping people navigate some of the most challenging moments of their lives. “We could not have done it without Arianna,” Lino shares. “Our patrons love and miss her; they are always happy to hear how well she is doing in her career.”
Though her path has taken her beyond the day-to-day at Paloma, her pride in her parents runs deep. “They’ve worked so hard, put so much effort into it, and continued to grow Paloma into what it is today,” she says. “I’m really proud of them, not just for the business, but for the heart they’ve poured into the community.” She’s especially excited about the next chapter, seeing Paloma Parlor bring more opportunities for connection, whether it’s families stopping for ice cream, friends sharing a glass of wine, or kids like her nieces, Royal and Selah, dropping by for a special treat.
Paloma Parlor
