Mocha Point Coffee Co. stands out as KC’s first Yemeni coffeehouse

Photo by Kylie Volavongsa

Coffee shops tend to come in two different forms, but the version that’s increasingly more prevalent is the “order-and-go” variety. Many of us don’t have time to stake out a cozy spot and settle in for the experience—we order our to-go cup of caffeine and sugar and hold on tight to help us through another day of existential crisis.

For Omar Abdelmoity, that was the exact opposite approach he wanted to take when he opened Mocha Point Coffee Co., located at the corner of Antioch and 135th Street in Overland Park.

“I grew up right in this area,” Abdelmoity says. “But through high school and into early college, my friends and I were always on the hunt for a place where we could hang out and socialize that also aligned with our values. Even if we couldn’t fully articulate what we wanted, we definitely couldn’t find it.”

Photo by Kylie Volavongsa

While attending Washington University in St. Louis, Abdelmoity discovered a coffeehouse that specialized in Yemeni Coffee. He and his friends were soon spending multiple days each week there, studying and socializing in the large community space. As Abdelmoity finished his degree and decided to move back to the Kansas City area, he approached the ownership team of Mocha Point Coffee Co. in St. Charles to thank them for creating such a special place.

“I said that I wished there was a place like Mocha Point back in Overland Park,” Abdelmoity says. “Before too long, I asked myself why I was waiting for someone else to do it.”

Abdelmoity opened the second Mocha Point Coffee Co. location in February of this year, and he strives to follow the same philosophy for quality and community he found at the St. Charles original. The huge space and long hours make it an ideal spot for people of all ages to claim a spot, meet up with friends, and, of course, enjoy delicious coffee.

“Not many people realize that coffee cultivation began in Yemen,” Abdelmoity says. “The city of Mokha was a huge trade city that shipped coffee all around the world, and we’re proud to use premium-sourced beans from Yemen in our drinks at Mocha Point.”

From the get-go, Yemeni coffee beans have a different flavor profile than what many of us are used to. After picking, Yemeni beans are traditionally laid out on rooftops to dry, further intensifying their earthy nuances. On top of the unique flavor profiles of the beans, Mocha Point Coffee utilizes a number of spice combinations to further help their drinks stand out.

Photo by Kylie Volavongsa

The Yemeni Latte features a blend of cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla, ginger, and honey. Other specialty lattes include flavors like pistachios and banana cream. Traditional drinks like Mofawar, Mint Tea, and Adeni Chai are also popular orders, along with housemade Sweet Refreshers of dragonfruit, hibiscus, and strawberry. You can take many of these drinks on the go, or you can settle into the space and enjoy the bustle of the community.

“We want to reinforce the idea that Mocha Point is a coffeehouse and not a coffee shop,” Abdelmoity says. “Even though we’ve only been open about a month, we’ve been blown away by how much of a community we’ve built up already.”

Abdelmoity says their busiest hours have been later in the evening when work, school, and other responsibilities have been taken care of. Mocha Point stays open until 10:00p.m. on weekdays and 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, making it a great bar alternative for socializing.

If you’re going to hang out at a coffeehouse for an extended period, you’re going to get hungry. That’s where that Yemeni influence also comes in handy—Mocha Point offers a number of sweet and savory items, often with some extra flavor kicks, to quell your hunger. Almond, chocolate and pistachio croissants, Biscoff cheesecake and more are available to indulge your sweet tooth, and savory items like the spinach and sumac pie or the za’atar and cheese manaeesh are perfect pairings with your drinks.

The first month of operation was all about nailing routines and getting the word out, but now Abdelmoity is ready to start building even stronger connections at Mocha Point. They’ve already done a late-night, Friday-the-13th collaboration with Yafa Cafe that featured shawarma and falafel sandwiches until 2:00 a.m., along with a mini pancake pop-up featuring kanafeh and Dubai chocolate specialties from Nivi’s Minis. Abdelmoity is booking live music and planning in-house events such as calligraphy classes.

“Mocha Point is a place to experience and discover what makes our community special,” Abdelmoity says. “Moving forward, I’m going to keep pushing to establish us as a fun, safe, and special pillar in this neighborhood.” With the flavors and events to back it up, it seems like Mocha Point is well on its way to doing just that.

Mocha Point Coffee Co. is located at 8641 W 135th St, Overland Park, KS 66223.