Kokomo’s Café Bringing Art and Books to Winter Haven
Guests can enjoy soups, sandwiches, and espresso drinks surrounded by thrifted art and thousands of donated books.
WINTER HAVEN, FL — Chloe Shreeve told Business Debut that Kokomo’s Café is set to open mid- to late November at 322 4th St NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881. The café aims to serve as a welcoming community hub where art, literature, and local flavor come together.
What to Expect
Kokomo’s Café will operate as a full-service art and book collective café. The 2,000-square-foot space features a free lending library, thrifted art collected over the years by Shreeve, and an area for local artists to display and sell their work.
The back lounge houses nearly 2,000 donated books, cozy seating, a children’s nook with games and coloring books, and shelves built into the walls. Outside, guests will find a small seating area with tables, plants, and room to enjoy a coffee or glass of wine in the Florida air. Inside, the space will host a mix of cozy lounge seating and traditional tables for up to 50 guests.
Menu and Vision
The menu will feature soups, salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads such as the Hot Honey Pepperoni, made with marinara, burrata cheese, cupped pepperoni, and a drizzle of hot honey.
The café will also serve espresso drinks, teas, boba, refreshers, and energy drinks, as well as beer, wine, and canned cocktails. “Kokomo’s is meant to be a space where people can enjoy good food, read a good book, and take in the creativity around them,” Shreeve told Business Debut. “It’s a place for all ages to relax, connect, and express themselves.”
Events and Community
Shreeve plans to host regular community events, including sip-and-paint nights, live music, trivia, open mic poetry, and portrait sessions. “I want to build a space for creativity — somewhere people can collaborate and make art,” she told Business Debut.
Ownership and Team
Kokomo’s Café is the first business venture for Shreeve, who developed the idea years ago while working in the service industry. After studying studio art in college, she realized her passion lay in blending creativity with hospitality.
She credited her partner and business partner, Christopher Barton, with helping her bring the vision to life. “Christopher saw the vision and believed in me from the start,” she told Business Debut. “Everything inside the café — from the shelves to the walls — he built with his own hands, with help from his mother, Colleen.”
Shreeve also recognized her mother, Jeannie McCarthy, for her guidance and interior design input, and her sister, Emmy McCarthy, who created the café’s logo. “I couldn’t have done it without them.” She said.
Opening Timeline
Kokomo’s Café is planning a soft launch as soon as inspections are complete, followed by a grand opening in mid- to late November.
Hours
Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Comments ()