An unusual new destination for coffee lovers has arrived in Montgomery County, as Cafecito is now open inside the new Whip Clean Car Wash at the Festival at Muddy Branch shopping center in Gaithersburg.
Whip Clean also officially opened this week, offering a state-of-the-art car wash with free exterior washes during its grand opening weekend.
Cafecito serves handcrafted specialty coffee, premium matcha and seasonal signature drinks. The shop says its mission is to create a welcoming space where customers can slow down, connect and enjoy quality coffee instead of 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 located on Muddy Branch Road across from Lotte Plaza Market and next to Best Friends Pet Resort. The 11,378-square-foot facility features a modern wash tunnel and an assembly line-style finish bay designed to streamline the drying and detailing process.
