Beloved Black-Owned Coffee Hub Sip & Sonder Closes Its Inglewood Flagship

A community mourns as rising costs force a beloved space to close. But the founders vow to keep its spirit—and coffee—alive in new ways.

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2026 January 30 . 1:39 PM

1 min read

The image shows a Starbucks coffee shop on the corner of a street, surrounded by buildings, street... — The image shows a Starbucks coffee shop on the corner of a street, surrounded by buildings, street poles, street lights, electric poles, electric cables, motor vehicles on the road, bushes, trees and a sky with clouds in the background.

Beloved Black-Owned Coffee Hub Sip & Sonder Closes Its Inglewood Flagship

Sip & Sonder, a cherished Black-owned coffee shop in Los Angeles, will close its flagship location in downtown Inglewood this Wednesday. The decision comes after years of serving as a cultural hub, offering house-roasted espresso and hosting events like jazz nights and artist residencies. Founders Amanda-Jane Thomas and Shanita Nicholas described the closure as a 'deep, personal devastation.'

The shop opened in 2018, quickly becoming a vital community space. It hosted coffee education workshops, pitch competitions for Black entrepreneurs, and live performances—including visits from musician Stevie Wonder. The menu also celebrated Black culture, featuring drinks like the Cardi B latte, named after rapper Cardi B.

Rising rent, labour costs, and slower consumer spending made it unsustainable to keep the brick-and-mortar location open. Despite the closure, the brand will still operate a coffee kiosk outside the Music Center in downtown L.A. Customers can also buy its beans online.

Thomas and Nicholas are now exploring new ways to preserve Sip & Sonder's legacy. They aim to create sustainable community spaces, ensuring the brand remains active in Inglewood and South L.A. while adapting the business model.

The flagship's closure marks the end of an era for the coffee shop's physical presence in Inglewood. However, the founders plan to keep the brand alive through alternative formats. The kiosk and online sales will continue, alongside efforts to rebuild community-focused spaces in the future.