A new coffee shop is coming to Montgomery County as Cafecito prepares to open inside the new Whip Clean Car Wash at the Festival at Muddy Branch shopping center in Gaithersburg. The announcement comes as Whip Clean says construction is nearing completion, with the new car wash expected to open later this month.
According to Cafecito, customers will be able to enjoy handcrafted specialty coffee, premium matcha and seasonal signature drinks while their vehicles are washed or detailed. The shop says its goal is to create a space where customers can slow down, connect and enjoy quality coffee, rather than simply grabbing a drink on the go.
Cafecito was founded by Michael Funes, a former professional soccer player who represented both the United States and El Salvador. After discovering a passion for espresso during a trip to Italy in 2019, Funes spent several years learning the craft before launching Cafecito as a coffee cart in 2025. The business sources its coffee from Latin American countries including Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico and Guatemala, with a mission centered on hospitality, culture and community.
The new Whip Clean location is being built on Muddy Branch Road across from Lotte Plaza Market and next to Best Friends Pet Resort. The 11,378-square-foot facility will feature a state-of-the-art wash tunnel and an assembly line-style finish bay designed to streamline drying and detailing.
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