Art of Coffee, a beloved family-owned coffee house, has been a cornerstone of the Clear Lake community since opening its doors in July 2015. Co-owner Cheyenne Minak emphasizes the importance of connection with customers and the local community, a philosophy that has guided their success.
“We love the one-on-one aspect,” Minak explained. “A lot of people want us to open a drive-thru location, but we say no because we love being personable. We love our regulars. Community is what makes a coffee shop.” At Art of Coffee, every detail speaks to that community spirit, from the artwork displayed on the walls to the interactions with customers.
The shop showcases a rotating collection of local art, exclusively from artists based in Clear Lake to the Texas City-La Marque area. Minak stresses that their commitment to local artists is integral to the coffee shop’s mission. “We don’t do any artists outside of this area,” she said.
While the Clear Lake location is more frequented by NASA staff and University of Houston-Clear Lake students, with a fast-paced vibe and a free community library, the Kemah location offers a more laid-back atmosphere. The Kemah shop, near the Kemah Boardwalk, embraces its beachy, sailboat community and features made-to-order breakfast on weekends. Unfortunately, their La Marque location didn’t survive the COVID-19 pandemic.
Art of Coffee’s origins trace back to her father, Bill Minak, who opened the first location in Kemah at the suggestion of regular customers of his floral shop, Kemah Flowers and Company. The shop combined coffee with local art and home decor, creating a unique offering that resonated with the community.
“That’s how we came up with ‘Art of Coffee,’” Cheyenne shared. “All the art in the flower shop moved over to the coffee shop. In 2015, there wasn’t a coffee shop on every block. We literally started from the bottom.”
Through hard work and dedication to the community, Art of Coffee continues to thrive, bringing both caffeine and creativity to the people of Clear Lake and Kemah.
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