Captivated by a kind cafe
La La Land @ the Grove
Have you ever been captivated by something beautiful? Maybe your spouse on your wedding day? Holding a sleeping newborn? Watching an athlete win something big for the first time? As a National Park lover, I am often fascinated by nature. I could sit for hours watching bears, bison, and the occasional moose. I am rarely thoroughly captivated by something beautiful in the city; maybe I need to look more, or perhaps we are not as intentional enough in creating captivating moments and places.
Several weeks ago, my husband and I were trying to find a particular Nike shoe for our daughter. There was one pair in her size in all of Southern California. We hopped in the car and drove to the Nike store at The Grove, a large outdoor mall in the mid-Wilshire area of LA. There was no quick route; it was a lot of street driving, and traffic was a nightmare as it was a Friday night in rush hour. We were both annoyed and getting a little hangry when we parked on the top deck in the parking garage.
The elevators were crowded and slow, but when the doors finally opened, and we walked out on the ground level, my eyes were immediately drawn to this bright yellow cafe. As I looked towards it, my frustration melted away. It had stunning yet simple white decor, huge open windows, yellow flowers, bright, shining welcoming lights, and a line of seemingly happy people way out the door. I was enthralled; it looked like it was the place to be. As we walked by, my nose caught the aroma of fresh coffee, and as we made our way to the Nike store, I kept turning around and gazing towards the shop. We reached the Nike store, found the shoes, and headed to our dinner reservation. Afterward, as we returned to the elevator, I stopped again; people outside seemed so joyful, the energy was electric, and I wanted to get in the line and buy everything they were selling. This cafe had me completely captivated.
Fast forward a few weeks, and I was still thinking about this cafe. Friday, I had an unexpected date with my niece, Liz. As soon as we started planning, I immediately decided to take her to the cafe I had been thinking about. I picked up my phone and searched for "bright yellow cafe at the Grove"; a photo came up right away. The place was called La La Land, and their website said they were "in the business of kindness." I immediately began researching. Their website was as impressive as the store. I watched their about video and was stunned; why weren't more places like this?
Here are the Cliff Notes or, in this case, the Kim Notes:
Their owner is 27 years old
They started in 2019 in Texas. The Grove is their second location in California.
They tell their customers they love them
Hiring prerequisites: Genuine kindness
Their employees are part of what they call a "kind army."
They went viral during the pandemic by complimenting random people in Dallas
But the most fantastic part is that La La Land employees are primarily young adults aging out of the foster care system. Did you know that approximately 23,000 foster youth age out of the foster system annually? Of that, twenty percent are immediately homeless, and less than half will have a job at age 25. La La Land saw a gap and began filling it. They teach these young people job skills, provide paid internships, and help them find housing, therapists, mentors, and resources to improve their lives.
Watching and reading the testimonials from their customers caused me to choke back tears. Quotes from customers like "I have never found a place that has made me feel so seen." "you can tell every single person in this place really cares." It's unbelievable, right? One guy even confirms that when he says, "It sounds crazy, it's just a coffee shop." I held back tears because I profoundly believe La La Land is hitting the mark that so many churches and workplaces are missing. Everything about La La Land drew me in, and I wanted to be a part of it.
I hear story after story of how individuals find their way into our churches only to leave feeling unseen or unwelcome. I have seen firsthand employees who think their sole purpose is to be a cog in the wheel or see work as simply a means to an end. While I don't think we purposely create these negative experiences, what bothers me is the lack of intentionality about creating safe and inviting spaces. Sacred places that draw you in. Places where you can't help but walk towards. When you get off the elevator like I did, you are filled with curiosity and wonder instead of apathy or dread.
The wild thing is we all have the ability to create spaces like this. La La Land Kind Cafe is doing it exceptionally well, but so can we. We can jump on board the business of kindness. We can add hospitality, goodness, and love. After all, La La Land is doing it, even if they haven't declared it. We can create sacred and inviting spaces for people at home, church, or work. It's a mindset, an outflow of how we live our lives; it's the Spirit of God working through us to bring out a love for God and others. We were created for this!
I didn't tell my niece what to expect from the La La Land Kind Cafe. After all my research, I hoped it was half as fantastic as my super-high expectations. I kept quiet as I didn't want to disappoint her and wanted to see her genuine reaction. We approached the cafe right after opening. It wasn't hustling and bustling yet, but the windows and doors were open, and bright lights were inviting. The music was fun and energetic; we could hear it before we stepped in, yet inside, it didn't feel loud or intrusive. The flowers were abundant, the drinks were exceptional, the hostess told us she loved us, and the reminders to be kind were everywhere. While waiting for our drinks, Liz turned to me and said, "This place, it just makes me so happy being here; it's like sunshine." A few minutes later, she said, "I just can't imagine this getting any better." I told her what they did for foster children, and I showed her the video of them spreading kindness, and she was in awe. We sat there for a couple of hours, me working, her reading. When it came time to go, neither of us wanted to leave; we both declared we would return to experience it all over again.
Since we left La La Land Kind Cafe, I've been pondering how to cultivate more of these sacred spaces in the world around us. It's a question that transcends the boundaries of a coffee shop and reaches into our homes, churches, and workplaces. How can we transform these places into beacons of warmth and welcome, drawing people in rather than dragging them along?
The answer lies in intentionality. We can create spaces like La La Land Kind Cafe, where kindness, hospitality, and love are not mere afterthoughts but the very essence of our interactions.
So, as you finish reading this, I invite you to ponder: How can you bring the spirit of kindness and goodness into your own corner of the world? What practical steps can you take to infuse kindness and hospitality into your daily life, community, and workplace? As you think about this, remember there is no need to boil the ocean today; start with one new intentional act of kindness. Consider the profound impact we can collectively wield when we open our hearts and radiate light, like the glowing lights, wide-open windows, and the infectious joy that instantly captivated me.
