Kokomo's Cafe

Kokomo’s Cafe is the perfect lounge space for avid readers looking for their next page-turner while sipping away on a beverage of their choosing or eating lunch. The dreamy cafe offers a variety of drinks like tea, coffee, wine, and beer, and a carefully curated food menu with clean-sourced ingredients. The place was dreamt up by the owner herself, Chloe Shreeve, who has a passion for creating a space for people to unwind, be loved, and feel welcomed like a warm hug. Named after her own nickname “Coco” and her love for the Beach Boys’ classic hit, “Kokomo,” she wanted everyone to find their own local paradise within the creative walls of Kokomo’s Cafe.

With a background in the service industry, Chloe was very familiar with the scene. When she was 17, she started to wonder what it would be like to manage her own restaurant. As she continued to work at her previous job, she would often tell herself, “This is cool, but I would do it this way instead.” Once that thought captured her attention, she began to envision her perfect place.

“I thought it would be super cool if I had this place that was jazzy, and during the day you could have coffee. Then at night you could have wine, and if you still wanted coffee at night you could have it!” Chloe shared that her idea was to have a 24-hour jazz-themed coffee shop but quickly realized the importance of work-life balance.

As her dream began to take shape five years ago, Chloe worked to create a space that combined her passions for art, reading, and community. That vision became a reality when Kokomo’s Cafe officially opened in January. “The most important thing that you can do is break bread with somebody,” Chloe shared, “and so what better place to do it than a place surrounded by art, books, and mixed media.”

From the moment you step into Kokomo’s, you’re immersed in a world of color, texture, and art. Each room is uniquely layered with vibrant walls, shelves lined with records you can play, and books to read and take home. Local artists’ work is regularly rotated and available for purchase, adding a constantly evolving artistic presence throughout the cafe. While deciding where to sit, choose from eclectic seats and antique tables layered over colorful patterned rugs. The space comes together to create a cozy coffeehouse atmosphere.

Every piece of decor was hand-selected by Chloe and her business partner, Chris Barton, who curated the cafe with thrifted treasures rich in history, character, and beauty.

Everything on their menu also comes with a gluten- or allergy-free option, and nearly all of their dishes and drink syrups are homemade. “We try to make basically everything that we can make in-house and with clean ingredients,” said Chloe. “I like to know where my food’s coming from, and I like to know what’s in my food.”

A few favorites among the staff and locals are the Lunch Club; Rowdy Roni, a pressed sandwich featuring pesto aioli with pepperoni, turkey, cheese, and spinach on ciabatta bread, and the Hot Honey Flatbread. They have a rotation of weekly soups, with the chicken poblano and tomato bisque coming out on top.

Their drink menu offers a variety of creative flavors to mix into your selected beverage, with seasonal options rotated throughout the year. The drinks that always steal the show are the matcha topped with strawberry cold foam and toasted coconut syrup and their beloved banana bread lattes. When choosing a drink, don’t be shy to ask the baristas for recommendations and have fun experimenting with flavors.

That creativity and warmth extend beyond the menu and into the heart of Kokomo’s culture. Chloe shared that one of her greatest joys is seeing her staff express themselves through making beautiful and delicious housemade specialties. “They give their 100%, and I like seeing them be creative,” Chloe said. “Food is an art, drinks are an art, it’s a creation, and it’s amazing what they’re able to do and what they’ve created.”

Sophia, one of the cafe’s employees, says much of that atmosphere comes from owner Chloe’s leadership and willingness to encourage collaboration among the staff. “I’ve never had a better boss,” Sophia said. “She’s worked in the service industry for so long that she really understands people. On top of that, she leaves a lot of room for us to put our own creativity into the place as well. One time, I asked if I could start making syrups, and now we have house-made syrups and are coming up with specials.”

Chloe is quick to return the praise to her team. “I have the best staff,” she said. “They are so dedicated, and they care about this place. Everything they do is done with love, appreciation, and respect.”

At Kokomo’s, that collaborative environment is what sets it apart. As for the baristas, they love seeing when their coffee brightens someone’s day. “Coffee is the best part of my day, and I want to make it the best part of someone else’s day,” said Sophia. “And the library doesn’t hurt. I love a library.”

Beyond the delicious drinks and food, the cafe’s communitycentered atmosphere is further reflected in one of its most unique features: a lending library where guests can browse, keep, and share the books they’re reading while they enjoy their drinks.

Although Chloe started the book collection herself with around 75 books, the community has jumped in, and the lending library now totals 2,000 books and counting. “I really wanted there to be open access to books, and as long as we are open, we’re definitely having the free lending library because it is important,” expressed Chloe. The staff encourages everyone who walks through the cafe to grab a book or two or three without feeling pressured to return it or only read it while visiting.

Abbie, one of the baristas, even treats borrowing a book like a requirement, saying, “You have to eat and you have to take a book home. It’s a homework assignment.” The staff’s excitement about their library doesn’t end there. Sophia even added, “And then come back and tell us about it—we want to talk about your book.” This wholesomeness highlights the cafe’s goal of creating conversations and connecting beyond a cup of coffee.

Not sure which book to pick? The staff actually have their own book club and display their favorite reads on a shelf in the backroom. Simply ask them about their recommendations and choose from a variety of genres available throughout the café.

Since the owner, Chloe, grew up as the daughter of an English and language arts teacher, she recalls her own household book club and shared she “didn’t really have a choice but to read.” Through her mom’s inspiration of diving into the real meaning behind literature, it helped Chloe grow her appreciation of books and made her want others to experience that feeling too.

Throughout the month, they host a variety of events that give customers a chance to connect with one another and support local artists. Open Mic Renegades, held on the last Saturday of every month, invites guests to share their talents through poetry, music, storytelling, and other forms of creative expression. The cafe also hosts Sip and Stitch gatherings, as well as True Crime Tuesdays for fans of mysteries and crime stories.

Through its events, support of local creatives, and appreciation for books, Kokomo’s has become more than a cafe; it’s a hub for community, creativity, and connection. More than anything, Chloe wants people to know they can come and enjoy a meal or a drink and simply be present.

KOKOMO’S CAFE

322 4th St NW, Winter Haven, FL

kokomoswh.com

IG @kokomoswh

Facebook: Kokomo’s

Photos by Kamryn Potteiger