The coffee industry has seen an unprecedented increase in value throughout the past two decades, with predictions of reaching more than $68 million in 2026.
Referred to as ‘coffee culture’ for its way-of-life attitude, simply serving a good brew isn’t enough for lasting brand success, especially when planning a multi-location rollout across the US. To truly resonate with customers and build a loyal following, coffee store designs need to tell a story – one that is often best rooted in heritage and authentic experiences.
Macaulay Sinclair was tasked with redesigning the flagship store of a renowned coffee roaster with plans for a US-wide rollout on its branded cafes.
The objective was to align the cafe’s interior architecture and design with a recent product rebrand, emphasising heritage, authenticity, and handcrafted details, while fostering community and connection.
Here, we delve into the crucial considerations for this project, noting the need to capture the charm of the past and the genuine feel of local culture, while also providing a strong foundation for consistent brand recognition and customer engagement at every location.
Celebrating heritage and history
Coffee boasts a rich and captivating history, whether it’s tracing back centuries to ancient rituals or to the more recent, vibrant social hubs of early Seattle and New York coffeehouses. This provides a powerful foundation for any brand concept and café design, offering a more engaging experience for customers, fostering a sense of place and story that transcends a simple transaction and cultivates deeper loyalty.
Our recent roastery partners embody a deep connection to authentic coffee experiences, so it was crucial to ensure the design reflected this authenticity within its space, by showcasing the heritage aspects of the building. Working in harmony with the existing site, our team preserved original windows, exterior columns, and exposed brick, helping to both protect and celebrate these unique features.
The recent product rebranding was also an important consideration for our design, emphasising handcrafted details and the roaster’s rich history. his included using a refined colour palette with a workman’s cafe aesthetic. The materiality came from sourced antique pieces with all these elements aligning with the brand’s new look.
Challenges and solutions for coffee store design
Part of our challenge for the brand’s design was creating a unified look for diverse locations, especially for those stores that lacked historic architectural features. We introduced new elements that felt timeless and could therefore be adapted for any location, regardless of specific building characteristics. By seamlessly blending preserved historical elements with contemporary design, we created a cohesive and inviting space.
The cafés offer a diverse selection of coffee options, including whole beans, ground coffee, and ready-to-drink beverages, coffee brewing accessories, merchandise as well as pastries and cakes baked locally. We aimed to celebrate this variety of products with a simple solution; a general store-style display and shelving, evoking a sense of local convenience and neighbourhood friendliness.
Creating unique experiences
The coffee store landscape is fiercely competitive, not just in reality but online too. Balancing the digital and physical realms, coffee roasters must create a holistic brand experience that fosters loyalty and encourages both online engagement and in-person patronage in a saturated market.
One of the stand-out products from the brand in question is its unique draft latte, which combines cold-pressed espresso with frothed milk in a variety of flavours. With such a strong brand presence, we felt it deserved its own spotlight within the cafe’s interior design, enhancing the sense of occasion and experience when purchasing one of these unique drinks.
On the wall adjacent to the main counter, we used reclaimed glazed ceramic brick tiles hand painted with the brand’s logo and the words ‘draft latte’ as an eye-catching backdrop. We then installed six beer-style taps to pour a selection of the creamy lattes and cold brew beverages. This design choice offers not only an attention-grabbing point of sale, it’s also a memorable experience for guests, likely to increase demand and encourage new and returning customers through the door.
Creating a community hub
In a similar vein to brand experiences, there is also a strong emphasis for coffee brands to fit into community culture and become part of the driving force behind daily interactions, meetings, social events and special occasions.
The brand from our recent project actively engages with local communities through educational programmes, events, and partnerships aimed at enhancing coffee culture and supporting social initiatives. The company encourages customers to use their cafes as Wi-Fi free spaces to promote face-to-face connection; to unplug and connect in real life.
To ensure the success of this effort, it was essential to design the layout, furniture, lighting, and overall atmosphere in a way that encouraged this type of experience and foster a sense of belonging. This included a mixture of indoor and outdoor seating options, ranging from individual stools to communal benches and booths.
Final thoughts
As the US and international cafe industry continues to evolve, the demand for uniqueand authentic experiences will only grow. Long-term success relies on embracing the power of considered design shaped by stand-out concepts – creating a welcoming space that honours the past while confidently brewing the future of your brand.
To find out more, or to speak to us about your next coffee store design venture, get in touch.
