La La Land Kind Café appears to be heading to mixed-use development Ashwood 12 South at 2212 12th Ave S., according to recently filed permits.
The cafe brand took shape in a unique way. Based in Dallas, La La Land evolved from the We Are One Project, a nonprofit organization founded in 2017 that focuses on helping those who are or were in the foster care system. The foundation, now known as the La La Land Foundation, is still in existence and works in conjunction with the cafe.
In 2019, founder and CEO Francois Reihani opened the first La La Land Kind Cafe in Dallas, offering paid internships to youth in foster care to help them transition into adulthood. Now, the program offers job training, housing assistance and mental health resources. The brand also aims to be community-focused wherever they open their cafes, according to the La La Land website.
“Beyond providing exceptional dining experiences, we focus on fostering a sense of community by giving back with love, kindness and service,” the La La Land Foundation website reads. “We believe in creating spaces where people come together, supporting one another and making a positive impact on the world around us.”
Since its inception, the brand has grown to seven locations in Dallas, three in Houston and five in Los Angeles.
The menu features signature coffee drinks like the La La Latte, Lavender Bloom and the Upsidedown Latte. It also serves coolers — which are similar to refreshers — and seasonal drinks like pumpkin spice lattes and cold brews. For food, it offers signature toasts like truffle burrata toast and avocado toasts.
The permit shows that renovations for the cafe include plans for a new kitchen, restrooms and dining area as well as alterations to the ceiling grid and lighting.
La La Land Kind Cafe is not the only tenant slated to go into the Ashwood 12 South development, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year. It will join businesses like Intown Golf Club, Sushi-san and SunLife Organics.
