La Mocha Cafe, located at 13743 Madison Ave. in Lakewood, is a standout in the local coffee scene.
Beyond its menu, the shop is unique as a black-owned, woman-owned business, featuring an attached vintage shop, owned and operated by the same people. This makes for the perfect catch-up session with old friends or weekend activity.
La Mocha is a representation of what makes Lakewood so special–representing the importance of community in every area. Owner Dionna Griffie turned the former Addicted Coffee Bar into a home for both her and her family.
The connected vintage shop offers a unique feature that makes La Mocha stand out. Griffe shared the thought process behind La Mocha, “It would be a cool idea to have the vintage shop; you can do a sip and shop type of place.” The idea creates a multifaceted experience for her customers.
La Mocha emphasizes customization and presentation. With all the different types of syrups, the cafe is able to make almost any drink customizable, even down to the cold foam. A signature item, the Cherry Blossom Chai, features a pink cherry cold foam with red cherry sprinkles.
“We try to step out of the box, and it might take us a little longer to make a drink, but when you get it, it’s worth the wait,” Griffe said.
Griffie takes pride in the drinks she comes up with and adds to her menu. With each new season and holiday, she creates a new menu of seasonal drinks as well as decorating the store. Griffie also incorporates customers’ opinions with a “fan favorites” menu, to which she adds seasonal drinks that have been requested by customers.
Evie Drew, a high school junior and customer, said, “I love the seasonal drinks that match the decor. I love the vibe there. It’s just all around amazing!”
As a true family-oriented business, Griffe’s daughter, Carleigh, also works as a barista at the cafe. “My favorite part about working here is definitely when we switch up our winter menu and our summer menu, just the different drinks,” she said.
The menu at La Mocha is expansive, featuring coffee, espresso, matcha, chai, and lemonade. Food options range from breakfast sandwiches and paninis to bakery items and wraps. To pay homage to the previous owners, the cafe continues to serve ice cream from the same supplier used by Addicted Coffee Bar.
Currently, the cafe is decorated for Valentine’s Day with adorable pillows, centerpieces, garland, and conversation heart decorations. Although the Valentine’s menu has not dropped yet, it will definitely not disappoint. The attention to detail in La Mocha, from the menu to the atmosphere and the environment, makes it a very special place with a new angle to make your visit exciting.
Located near Lakewood High School, the establishment’s variety of seating options make it a perfect place to stop in for a coffee before school or study with a snack when the day is over. Whether you’re stopping to check out the vintage shop or grabbing a quick drink, La Mocha offers an amazing experience.
La Mocha is a great spot for the Lakewood community. It’s never too cold for some ice cream, but customers can also never go wrong with a coffee, hot chocolate, or tea.
