Sip & Sonder is not a typical coffeehouse. Sip & Sonder is a coffeehouse and roastery founded in 2017 by Amanda-Jane Thomas and Shanita Nicholas and located in Inglewood, California. Sip & Sonder is a hotspot for creatives, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and coffee aficionados alike due to its on-site coffee roaster, creative space, and multi-purpose event space. In this week’s business highlight, we’ll spotlight Sip and Sonder.
Culture and Community: Interconnected
At Sip & Sonder, coffee, culture, and community are interconnected. The word “Sonder” signifies the understanding that every random pedestrian is living a life as vibrant and intricate as your own. This attitude is represented in all area of the business, from the sourcing and roasting of the coffee to the events and workshops conducted at the facility.
Sip & Sonder’s thoughtfully designed coffee program is one of its distinguishing aspects. Sustainable, traceable, and deliberate coffee that invites local communities to participate in a global dialogue. The beans are purchased directly from farmers and cooperatives, guaranteeing that the coffee is both ethical and of great quality. The coffee is then roasted in-house to ensure optimal freshness and flavor profile control.
More Than Simply A Coffee Shop
Yet Sip & Sonder is about more than simply coffee. The space embodies the creators’ ambition for a community-centered centre for creativity and enterprise. The rentable multipurpose event venue has hosted everything from book launches and panel discussions to live musical performances and art exhibitions. A creative room is also available for hourly rental, allowing creatives to have a dedicated space in which to work and create.
Sip & Sonder is more than just a coffee shop; it is a location where people may connect. Regardless of ethnicity, gender, or background, the creators are committed to providing a space that is open and accepting to all individuals. Also, they have made it a goal to encourage Black-owned businesses and artists in the community.
Sip & Sonder has quickly become an integral part of the Inglewood community, and has been recognized and praised by local and national magazines. The Los Angeles Times called Sip & Sonder one of the 19 greatest cafes in Los Angeles in 2023, and billboard, nbc, and Disney have also covered the coffee business for being the best coffee destination.
Nonetheless, for Sip & Sonder’s founders, success is not simply about notoriety and acclaim. It is about establishing a space where individuals can come together and express their ideas and passions while feeling heard and seen. Amanda-Jane Thomas told Forbes, “We wanted to establish a space where individuals could simply exist, where they could come to create and be themselves.”
Sip & Sonder intends to expand and open new sites in the future. They also intend to continue their aim of establishing an inclusive, diverse, and community-friendly space. The two founder told L.A Times, “We need these spaces for us to be able to express ourselves in our own communities. … We are empowering ourselves through ownership and breaking generational curses, showing what happens when we take pride in our Black history.”
