Born from grief and nurtured by healing, Reinne’s Place is the newest addition to the coffee scene located deep in the neighborhoods of Long Beach. Owner Tommy Le has opened his doors and his heart, inviting customers to accompany him in his experience of loss by building a living tribute to his late girlfriend, Reinne Lim — serving as a reminder to the community that beauty can arise from devastation.
In October of 2022, Reinne and Tommy were struck by a drunk driver traveling on the wrong side of the freeway, a devastating collision that claimed Reinne’s life and left Tommy in critical condition. In the three years since, Tommy has slowly rebuilt his life piece by piece, turning to the craft that has long grounded him. As a former barista, Tommy first met Reinne over coffee—an early connection that would later become a lifeline, helping him navigate grief, and ultimately inspiring Reinne’s Place.
Reinne’s Place combines traditional Vietnamese and Filipino ingredients – paying homage to both Tommy and Reinne’s heritage. Flavors like coconut, ube, pandan, and jackfruit provide the backdrop of innovation that make this coffee shop a standout from its surrounding competitors. Every carefully crafted sip creates a warm, nostalgic experience that keeps customers coming back for more.
“Reinne Checks” fill the wall with personal messages to loved ones who have passed away.
But what sets Reinne’s Place apart isn’t just its menu; it’s the sense of community it cultivates around love and loss. Physical “Reinne Checks” give customers a tangible way to leave written messages to those they hold in memory. A wall filled with “Reinne Checks” quietly creates a powerful environment where grief and healing can coexist.
Guests often linger for longer than expected, reading handwritten notes left by strangers and recognizing pieces of their own stories being reflected back to them. In a city that is constantly moving, Reinne’s Place invites moments of stillness — where grief can be honored and exist without urgency.
In celebrating Reinne’s life, Tommy has created more than just a coffee shop; he has built a haven for remembrance and connection where the menu warms the body and the space warms the heart. Reinne’s Place is a testament of resilience and the strength of community. It is a lasting reminder that even after loss, connection can still be brewed — one cup, one note, one shared moment at a time.
Reinne’s Place will soon have a permanent home, but for now visit them at Open Gallery Long Beach.
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Read Tommy’s entire story on Kickstarter