La La Land Cafe Taking Over the Old LoKal Space

La La Land Kind Cafe, the viral, bright-yellow coffee chain known for its kindness-first approach, is coming to Coconut Grove, with construction underway at the Commodore Plaza space formerly occupied by LoKal. An official opening date has not yet been announced.

The Coconut Grove location would be the chain’s first Miami-area café. La La Land operates locations across California, Texas, Arizona, and Tennessee, including Santa Monica, Calabasas, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Nashville.

The café describes itself as a “dream world” centered on coffee, tea, matcha, and food, with a strong emphasis on community. Its spaces are designed to evoke optimism, warmth, and mental well-being, and the brand is known for baristas who greet guests warmly, sometimes with phrases like “I love you.” If the Coconut Grove location follows the brand’s signature look, visitors can expect a bright, airy space with clean white backdrops, creamy neutrals, and warm browns, accented by bold pops of yellow on cups, signage, and décor. Light-filled interiors, joyful music, and uplifting affirmations are common throughout its cafés, along with signature yellow cups and encouraging messages.

The menu features drinks such as the La La Latte, Banana Cloud Latte, and Lavender Bloom Latte, alongside a selection of toast, breakfast items, and pastries. The exact menu for the Coconut Grove location has not yet been confirmed.

Commodore Plaza is one of Coconut Grove’s most walkable village streets, anchored by locally loved shops, restaurants, and cafés. LoKal, at 3190 Commodore Plaza, was a neighborhood fixture for 15+ years, known for its burgers, local beer, and relaxed atmosphere. LoKal was one of the reasons people came to Coconut Grove in the first place, drawn by its delicious burgers, laid-back atmosphere, and authentic neighborhood charm. It was the kind of locally owned establishment that helped make the Grove the beloved destination it is today.

As Coconut Grove continues to attract national chains and out-of-state brands, a growing concern is the future of its independently owned businesses. Rising commercial rents and changing storefronts raise questions about how many neighborhood establishments can continue to thrive. As the neighborhood evolves, preserving space for the independent businesses that helped shape its identity may be just as important as welcoming new ones.

La La Land’s arrival also reflects a broader trend of national brands making their way to Coconut Grove. Whether these new concepts will blend into the Grove’s relaxed, bohemian character remains a topic of discussion among residents.

As commercial rents continue to rise and national brands establish a greater presence, one question remains: What will Coconut Grove look like in the next five to ten years? Will it continue to thrive as the charming, bohemian village that made it a destination in the first place, or will rising costs and corporate expansion gradually erase its unique identity? Will it face the empty storefronts, endless “For Lease” signs, and fading neighborhood character seen along Lincoln Road and Wynwood, or become another concrete jungle like Brickell, where towering high-rises, relentless development, and a transient population of people constantly moving in and out have replaced the sense of a close-knit community with a revolving door of residents, visitors, and businesses?

Growth may bring investment and new opportunities, but at what cost? If national brands ultimately displace the local businesses that gave Coconut Grove its character, will there be any soul left to preserve?

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