OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — A metro mom is taking her son’s tragic death and turning it into something positive, with plans to open a cafe in his memory.
Her son and Shawnee Mission West high school football player, Andre Maloney, died from a stroke a year and a half ago.
Now Maloney’s mom is opening Cafe 29, in honor of her son, hoping to turn tragedy into a positive memory.
“At the beginning, when my son passed, I didn`t want to do anything for months,” said Rosaelida Montoya Cardenas, Maloney’s mom.
It was October of 2013. Shawnee Mission West high school senior Andre Maloney collapsed on the football field.
“All of a sudden you just see him,” said his cousin, Karla Montoya, as she makes a gesture referring to falling over.
The star corner-back and wide receiver suffered a stroke and passed away at the age of 17.
“My faith had been really tainted,” said Rosaelida, who decided to open Cafe 29 in memory of her son, who was number 29, and as a thank you for all the support from the community.
“Andre used to say he`s going to open a café,” Rosaelida said.
After her son’s death, Rosaelida says family members urged her to do something to help her move on and get her mind off things.
“You have to continue your life, you can do it,” she said.
Cafe 29, which will be located at 9645 W. 87th Street, is decorated with her son’s memorabilia, including his framed jerseys.
“This one says ‘para siempre’ always, and ‘nunca olvidado,’ never forgotten,” Rosaelida translates.
The walls also hold his helmet, a signed football from the Shawnee Mission West football team, even a painting of 63 yards on the ceiling as you walk in, when you place an order it`s a touchdown.
“This one represents the 63 yards Andre ran the last minutes of his life,” Rosaelida said as she points to the ceiling.
There’s an “MIB wall” which stands for the three words Andre lived by: “make it big” where customers can write positive thoughts on blocks and place them on the wall.
Maloney’s family says this cafe is a great reminder of all his accomplishments.
“My aunt is a wonderful baker, and that was her way of transforming a tragedy into something that can live on and can touch other people’s hearts,” Karla said.
Rosaelida says sometimes it`s hard for her to see her son`s things, but she knows in her heart it’s what he would have wanted.
“He always was a positive person, so I think he is happy wherever he is,” Rosaelida added.
The cafe also has paintings of people playing other sports.
Andre Maloney’s mom says it’s to recognize all players, because when they make a team, they already make it big.
Her son had verbally committed to playing football at Kansas the next fall.
The cafe officially opens Thursday, July 2.
