Kodachrome Coffee to offer the same java as Zen in South Bend, but new plans are on the way

SOUTH BEND — For years, the owners of Zen Cafe would get questions regarding the business name, with some wondering if they were a Buddhist company or a yoga studio.

“When we were traveling and I wanted to talk to another cafe or roastery about supplying green coffee, anytime I would mention Zen Cafe, it's so common, you could see it go in one ear and out the other,” owner Shaun Maeyens said. “So, as far as brand weight, we needed something that not only defined us but was also catchy and unique.”

As a result, owners Maeyens and partner Kristin Brinley are in the process of rebranding Zen Cafe into Kodachrome Coffee.

The name — based on a type of photograph color film developed by Kodak — represents a fuller and more accurate representation of what the business has transitioned into since its inception, Brinley and Maeyens said.

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When Maeyens began operations over a decade ago, the business’ concentration was initially on wholesale — selling beans that he curated directly from coffee farmers in Central America.

But now it’s morphed beyond wholesale into a community-driven cafe where, on any given day, the space, at 530 E. LaSalle Ave., is filled with a variety of customers ranging from older South Bend natives to young professionals and high school and college-aged students.

Creating that space was intentional with Brinley and Maeyens saying they wanted to become a bridge between university students and locals in a way that former Lula’s Cafe had accomplished before.

“There was just something really special about it and the intentions behind it, to draw that so everyone could feel welcome,” Brinley said.

“We're not trying to emulate it,” Maeyens said.

“But we are trying to take the lead from that, since it no longer exists, and at least be a part of that bridge.”

Inside, mid-century modern style furniture curated by local designer Matthew Stackowicz makes the modernized space feel warm, and items created by local artisans also are scattered throughout and available for purchase.

“Really, it's about capturing memories and all types of things,” Brinley said. “People come together over coffee and photographs and create memories and make connections with one another. … We really wanted to bring that perspective that we are here for everyone, with everyone, and we really want to create those memories alongside them and also have a space for people to come and feel free to evolve into what this space will be.”

Coffee blends and product will remain the same, Maeyens and Brinley reassure, but some other changes also are anticipated. In the next few weeks, the espresso bar in the space’s northern portion will be under construction as it is pushed back eight feet to allow for more seating space. During that five-week timeline, the espresso bar will be moved to the roasting area, which eventually will also get it’s own revamp, where training, research and development, and plans to expand wholesale education will occur.

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“This is a way for wholesale customers to come here and not just try the coffee but give them a live setting on the espresso machine to give them a real cafe layout,” Maeyens said.

Owners also plan to introduce a food menu, saying options will be “not so traditional” but provided no other details, with Brinley saying, “We’ll get back to you on that.”

A second location also is in the works as Kodachrome owners are currently negotiating plans to open inside the Studebaker Building 84 off Lafayette Boulevard, where school Purdue Polytechnic and businesses such as The Tribune and Em En Studios also reside.

“We'll continue to grow and meet the needs of our community. (We ask customers to) please bear with us while we go through this,” Brinley said. “It’s just more true to who we are and more inclusive to the entire community, and that's very important to us.”

“And that they can still get the same cup of coffee that they've been getting served for the past 12 years,” Maeyens said.

Maeyens and Brinley said they anticipate to fully transition into the Kodachrome Coffee name and logos by the end of April. Construction for the space is also expected to be complete in that timeline as well.

Contact Mary Shown at 574-235-6244 and mshown@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @maryshownSBT and @marketbasketSBT.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Zen Cafe in South Bend to become Kodachrome Coffee