Popular local cafe CinSei, which serves matcha and sells manga, is hosting the grand opening of their new location in Over-the-Rhine this weekend.
Co-owner Jaleesa Ross told CityBeat back in February that the opportunity to expand their pop-up cafe to a full location felt like a dream. This weekend, that dream becomes reality as the couple moves the business into its new home on 32 E 13th Street, next to the popular restaurant Wildweed. CinSei will open for business in its new location at 10 a.m. this Saturday.
As we reported in February, the cafe’s initial pop-up inside Yard & Co was so successful that owners Kendall and Jaleesa Ross were approached by 3CDC to open a full-service brick-and-mortar, noting that the couple had struck a previously untapped market in the Cincinnati area.
“Getting our start as a pop-up at Yard & Co. was essential in introducing CinSei to the neighborhood, and we’ll always be grateful for that opportunity,” Jaleesa said. “When we began searching for a permanent home, we wanted a place where people could relax, hang out, and read manga — a true third space. Our goal was to create something that feels like your best friend’s basement: comfortable, fun and a spot you can’t wait to come back to.”
The space was born out of the owners’ lifelong passion for manga (Japanese comics) and anime, and pairing it with matcha (a Japanese caffeinated beverage made from green tea leaves) felt like a natural fit. Pastries, cupcakes, muffins, tarts and matcha cookies will also be available for purchase at the new location, as well as non-food items like Japanese stationery, vinyl albums and other CinSei-branded merch.
Not much will change after moving into the bigger space (back in February, Kendall laughed as he said “the number one question we get is ‘When are you going to do coffee?’ and the answer is never”), but the relocation will allow them to hone in on their true focus: community building. The two plan to host several free events to spread their love of both Japanese and Black culture.
“We knew this was needed in the community, and we wanted to create a third space for people to hang out,” Kendall said. “The Black community, especially, is extremely underrepresented in this space and is a lot bigger than what people believe it is.”
The owners will also soon collaborate with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra on a special event, titled The Music of Studio Ghibli, where attendees can try CinSei’s matcha for free.
“We’re incredibly inspired by the Rosses and the bold step they took to turn their idea into reality,” said Chrisy Samad, EVP of Civic & Commercial Space Activation for 3CDC. “They’ve made a remarkable impact in just a few months, and we can’t wait to see how they continue to grow in their new permanent home. Cinsei adds something truly unique to OTR — and it’s another great example of the success of Black- and women-owned businesses in Cincinnati.”
For more information, read our previous profile on Cinsei here, and check out CinSei’s official Instagram page.
