At Makenna Koffee Company, a sip of a sweet, creamy latte transforms the sipper’s surroundings to a relaxing moment under the shade of a palm tree, a taste of a refreshing tea reminds the drinker of driving along the coast and a mouthful of an energizing Redbull Energy drink makes the enjoyer to feel like they are stepping out of the ocean after a surfing session. No matter what drink is consumed at Makenna Koffee, each one is sure to transport the sipper to the sunny seashore of Hawaii.
Makenna Koffee is a beach inspired coffee shop that offers a wide variety of uniquely flavored coffee, tea and Redbull Energy drinks. An additional location opened on Oct. 11 2025, located at 3825 E Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks. There are five other locations in Simi Valley, Valencia, Ventura and Camarillo, and their hours of operation are 6:30 am to 5 pm, everyday.
“It’s really social, and you can really get immersed in the community, which I like, it’s [a lot of] fun,” said Makenna Koffee Company barista, Elsa Lowe ‘26. “I can see my friends [and] all my coworkers are really similarly minded people which I appreciate.”
They offer a selection of 49 coffee drinks and 22 drinks without coffee for customers who do not want a cup of joe. One aspect that makes Makenna Koffee unique from other coffee shops is their Redbull Energy combination drinks which consist of flavored Redbull Energy drinks with flavored syrups. Other options to order are blended coffee and smoothies, each with a flavor for every occasion.
“I love how all their food is really good,” said Makenna Koffee fan Mika Advani ‘28. “Their pastries are [delicious]. I [especially] like their chocolate croissant and their pumpkin chai [latte].”
One element that this cafe puts emphasis on is their customer service. Every customer that enters the door is greeted with a smile and a “hello” and when every patron exits they are sent on their way with a friendly “goodbye”. Makenna Koffee’s goal is to foster a community in Thousand Oaks where students can come to study, friends can hang out and everyone can have a safe space to chill out.
“We all are super excited to be working there, and we all really have a passion for the company and what we sell,” said Makenna Koffee Company staff member, Stephanie Wise ‘26. “When we’re working there, we really focus on customer service and making sure everyone who walks in feels welcomed and appreciated.”
Makenna Koffee has curated a beach themed environment that is inspired by the islands of Hawaii. This tropical theme is incorporated into their drinks like the Maui latte that has handcrafted maui milk, and is seen in their palm tree decorations and ‘aloha’ sign. Their coastal concept is the driving force behind the chill atmosphere and welcoming spirit of Makenna Koffee.
“[Working at Makenna Koffee] really feels like a family and a community,” said Makenna Koffee Company employee Olivia Marcum ‘26. “I love how many people from Westlake will come in after school to study. Seeing all my friends come in [to visit me] and getting to work with my [other] friends is something that is really valuable.”
