IMA

Ima is a small Japanese inspired specialty coffee shop intended to help the consumer enjoy being in the present moment. To bring the focus to the present and the ceremony of coffee making, the shop has no outlets, no WiFi, workbenches, sweeteners, or to go cups.

With both indoor and garden stations, the shop architecture features a rustic, minimalist spin on Frank Lloyd Wright materialism to aid customers in focusing on the coffee making and community happening in front of them. All the while creating mood through sound with music like Novo Amor’s album Antarctic Dream Machine.

As the barista prepares your coffee, he’ll tell you the story of the coffee, where it came from, and what processes and environments contributed to its aroma and flavors. Or you can enjoy watching the ceremony in silence. And after your coffee is made he leaves your station for you to enjoy it.

The high emphasis of detaching from and removing external inputs allows customers to enjoy sipping in solitude, or in the togetherness and conversation of the people with them. What you can savor is only what is with you in the present.