Today we’d like to introduce you to Jewell Harloff.
Hi Jewell, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When Starbucks first hired me as a barista at 16 years old, I instantly fell in love with coffee culture. I loved the energy of the café, connecting with people, and the feeling that a coffee shop could become part of someone’s daily ritual and community. From that point on, I always dreamed of owning a coffee shop of my own one day.
Life eventually brought me to San Diego, where I built a career as a dental hygienist. While I enjoyed helping people, something inside me kept pulling me back toward the world of coffee, creativity, and community. After years in the dental field, I realized I wanted to return to the thing I truly loved.
I started searching all over San Diego for the perfect café location and began working for another café owner downtown to learn the ins and outs of running a business. I wanted to understand every piece of what it took to build something special from the ground up.
Then came the opportunity that changed everything. I was fortunate enough to meet the owners of Del Mar Plaza, who gave me the chance to open Kini Koffee on the Ocean Terrace overlooking the Pacific. What started as a lifelong dream quickly became something even bigger: a gathering place for the community, a coastal ritual for locals and visitors alike, and an iconic location people now associate with sunshine, connection, and delicious coffee.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting Kini Koffee definitely was not a perfectly smooth road, and honestly, I think that’s part of what made it so special. When I first opened on the Ocean Terrace at Del Mar Plaza, I truly did not realize how busy we would become so quickly. The response from the community was immediate and incredible, but the espresso machine I originally purchased simply could not keep up with the volume. Every 20 customers or so, it would basically explode with espresso and hot water spraying everywhere behind the bar. It was chaotic, stressful, and honestly a little hilarious looking back now. We quickly realized we needed to invest in a much larger commercial machine to support the demand.
Not long after, I opened a second location and then found out I was pregnant almost immediately afterward. That season of life taught me one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as a business owner: quality over quantity. I realized I could not pour myself into everything at 100% all at once, and I had to become much more intentional about where my energy went. Instead of focusing on expanding as fast as possible, I learned to focus on building something meaningful, sustainable, and truly special.
There were definitely struggles along the way, but every challenge helped shape Kini Koffee into what it is today: not just a coffee shop, but an iconic community space built with heart, resilience, and a genuine love for bringing people together.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Kini Koffee is more than just a coffee shop. It’s a coastal community experience built around connection, creativity, and high quality drinks in one of the most beautiful settings in San Diego. Located on the Ocean Terrace at Del Mar Plaza, Kini Koffee has become known for its ocean views, uplifting energy, and signature drinks that people genuinely look forward to as part of their daily ritual.
What sets us apart is that every part of the brand was built intentionally to create a feeling. From the design and atmosphere to the customer interactions and menu, we wanted people to feel inspired, energized, and welcomed the moment they walked up to the window. We specialize in handcrafted coffee, matcha, chai, lemonades, and seasonal specialty drinks that feel elevated and fun.
One thing we are especially proud of is the community that has grown around the brand. Kini Koffee has become a place where locals connect, families gather after the beach, friends meet for morning coffee walks, and visitors feel like they discovered a hidden gem along the coast. We’ve also loved partnering with local schools, fundraisers, and community events because giving back has always been important to us.
Brand wise, I’m most proud that Kini Koffee feels authentic. It started from a genuine love of coffee culture and human connection, and I think people can feel that when they visit. We’ve grown largely through word of mouth, social media, and loyal customers who truly believe in the brand. At the heart of everything we do is the idea that coffee can be more than just a drink. It can create moments, memories, and community.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I truly love almost everything about San Diego. I’ve lived here for over 10 years, and there are still mornings where I wake up and genuinely feel lucky that I get to live in what I believe is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Between the coastline, the weather, the energy, and the lifestyle, there’s something really special about San Diego that’s hard to describe unless you’ve experienced it. It has this balance of ambition and relaxation that I think allows people to dream big while still enjoying life.
One of the things I love most is how community oriented the city can feel. There are so many incredible small businesses, creatives, entrepreneurs, and people supporting one another. That sense of connection has been a huge part of the journey of building Kini Koffee.
If there’s one thing I like least, it’s that San Diego is such a destination city that many amazing people eventually move away to be closer to their families or hometowns. Some of my closest friends over the years weren’t originally from here, and it’s always hard when people you love leave because life pulls them somewhere else. That’s probably the bittersweet side of living somewhere so desirable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.Kinikoffeesd.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinikoffee?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
