If you’ve walked down the Pardall tunnel in the past year, you’ve probably seen a banner featuring a hibiscus flower and blue text advertising the oh-so elusive Makenna Koffee Company. While it was initially expected to open last spring, the project was unfortunately significantly delayed. You know what they say though, good things are worth waiting for! I know I’m ready for this wait to be over and see just how good these drinks are. The manager is hoping the shop will open before the 2026-27 academic year — sometime in early September — but I will be keeping an eye on their Instagram for specific dates (@makennakoffee.iv). 

I was able to get in contact with Lucca Santolamazza, a third-year financial math and statistics major. Santolamazza has been a regular at Makenna Koffee in the town where it first started in 2019, Simi Valley. Not to mention, he is the manager of I.V.’s soon-to-open location! 

Speaking to Santolamazza — seeing the energy and excitement he had on his face while answering even the series of questions that I besieged him with — I’m confident that Makenna Koffee is going to have amazing vibes and create a presence unlike any other coffee shop that we have in I.V. 

Located at 6521 Pardall Road, this tropical themed café will feature an outdoor patio and a “huge menu, different from other coffee shops,” Santolamazza said, featuring various types of refreshers, blended drinks, matcha, boba and their own brand of energy drinks! According to Santolamazza, their most popular drink is the Sandy Blonde, a rich, creamy, white chocolate and caramel latte. However, his favorite is the Maui Vanilla: their signature Maui latte with vanilla syrup. Blended with their signature Maui milk, a secret sweet cream recipe which allegedly “tastes like melted vanilla ice cream,” I can see why this would be his favorite drink. If you’re more of an energy drink kind of person, he recommends The Vacation, which he describes as similar to a piña colada, is a pineapple coconut Makenna Energy drink topped with Kona Cloud, a sweet cream cold foam (a dairy free option is also available). At Makenna, the menu reminds me of the drinks at Dutch Bros combined with the events and energy you find at Woodstock’s!

The words of the hour were “energy” and “vibe.” It’s clear that (besides serving delicious drinks) the goal of Makenna Koffee in I.V. is to boost people’s energy through the environment they hope to create and the connections they aim to foster. Santolamazza aims for the shop to create a “fun, inviting, open vibe” where students can study or hang out — an atmosphere that will embody the “work hard, play hard” culture of I.V.

During the day, Makenna Koffee will be a chill study spot with leather couches, outlets and Wi-Fi for students to lock in inside, and socialize on a nice patio that is expected to be the hang-out spot. While the typical store hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Santolamazza says he’s not opposed to staying open later until 10 or 11 p.m. In fact, he hopes Makenna will eventually become a late-night study spot, similar to Slodoco in Goleta! During finals week, we’ll most likely see the establishment open later to keep students motivated to get more studying done. 

Not every night will be just for studying! At night, Makenna will feature live music, karaoke and maybe even DJ sets! I couldn’t be more excited for a new café to be opening in I.V.!

Students will also be able to utilize a rewards program and fun promotions and discounts! If you create an account with your phone number, you’ll earn one point for every drink you buy. For every 11 points, you get a free drink! Makenna Koffee will also offer frequent promotions. For example, during the World Cup, they sold Mexico-themed drinks for $5 if Mexico won a game. According to Santolamazza, the shop will offer a back-to-school promotion where you can get two energy drinks for $10! 

In terms of engaging with the community, Santolamazza says they’re in contact with the Isla Vista Community Services District in order to work towards getting their green certification to demonstrate their commitment to pro-environmental practices. As well as partnering with different events, such as Thriftopia, they’re getting involved with the university and I.V. residents. Santolamazza wants Makenna to feel as “Isla Vista-fied” as possible. 

I’ve been missing blended sweet drinks since I moved to Isla Vista and I’m so excited to try the Oreo Chiller. Too many times I’ve thought to myself, “I wish there was a Dutch Bros closer to SB.” Looks like my wish is coming true; I.V. is soon to be home to a menu of drinks like none other in town at Makenna Koffee! I can’t wait to finally walk in and experience the hype I’m sure that Santolamazza and his team will create — I’m confident that Makenna Koffee Company is going to be a coffee shop like no other in I.V. 

A version of this article appeared on p. 16 of the August 27th, 2026 print edition of the Daily Nexus.