Lekker Coffee

Mother + Daughter Owned

 @LekkerCoffee_RiNo

Tell us a bit about your back story together leading up to Lekker Coffee?

We are are Kara Finkelstein and Dawn Kaprielian. Momma Dawn’s grandmother, Geri, started a bar back in CA called Lloyd in Geri’s in 1942. Her father ran it when Grandma Geri passed away and then Momma Dawn ran it for 10 years. After Kara got back from a trip to Africa volunteering at Care For Wild, she decided she wanted to help in any way she could. We began looking at locations for coffee shops in RiNo and once a lease was signed, Kara convinced Dawn to move to CO to open the shop together! The shop opened on October 1st in 2020 and we are happy to announce that we recently extended our lease through May of 2027!
Check out Lekker Coffee’s Website >>> Here <<<

 Tell us about “Care For Wild” and why you donate a percentage of your revenue to them?  

 Care For Wild is the largest rhino orphanage and sanctuary in the world. Kara volunteered at their facility in 2017 and fell in love with their mission of saving orphaned rhinos whose mothers have been poached in Kruger National Park. It seems no one knows much of what is happening with the rhino population so she hopes to bring awareness to the topic through the coffee shop and donating 10% of their profits back to the orphanage! 

What are some of your favorite drink concoctions you serve/ have created?

The Horchata Latte is a fan favorite that was inspired by local artist, Pat Milbery, who painted the murals in the shop. The cocktails are also super fun! We have a ‘New Fashioned’ which is our version of an “Old Fashioned” with a local coffee liqueur as well as a very tasty Espresso Martini with our cold brew concentrate that packs a punch!

Why did you choose to locate your business in the RiNo neighborhood?

Both Kara & Dawn (Lekker Coffee Founders) live in the RiNo neighborhood and were so excited to find a space that was within walking distance to home. We found it to be very serendipitous to open a business focused on Rhino conservation in RiNo- it felt like a fun play on words.
The coffee shop address is 3460 Larimer St., Denver, CO 80205.

Do you have any events or promotions coming up in 2022 you’d like people to know about?

Lekker Coffee hosts monthly wine tastings featuring various South African wineries that are organic, sustainability and/or biodynamic! Follow us on Instagram for updates. @LekkerCoffee_RiNo

Are you from CO? Why did you choose to call your neighborhood home? 

Both Kara & Dawn are from CA. 7 years ago, Kara’s company asked her to move to Denver to open an office for their firm. After getting the office up and running, her and her husband went to travel and that is when she ended up in South Africa at Care For Wild. When they moved back to CO, RiNo felt like home! The rhinos on the bikes in the bike line was a cute touch and made Kara think of her time back in Africa at the rhino orphanage.

What do you love about Denver? How would you describe the personality of Denver?

The community!  Friendly & incredibly supportive. Having nature so accessible is wonderful as well.

Request Information