Kemi Espresso

Maru Coffee was founded in 2016 by Joonmo Kim and Jacob Park, opening its first café in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles. The company roasts at a 5,000 square foot facility in Glassell Park, formerly the Intelligentsia Coffee West Coast production space, running three roasting machines with a combined capacity of 500 pounds per hour while maintaining a small batch approach. Park, a certified Q Grader, works alongside head roaster Isaac Mason to develop flavor profiles for a lineup that emphasizes intensive processing methods and exceptional cup quality. In September 2025, Maru expanded beyond California with a location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, marking its first East Coast presence. The company name derives from the Korean phrase San Ma Ru, reflecting the founders' cultural roots and their vision for coffee as a bridge between traditions.