After Losing His Girlfriend in a DUI Crash, Young Man Opens Coffee Shop to Honor Her Memory

One young man in Long Beach, California, is turning grief into purpose with his new venture. He recently opened a cafe in honor of his late girlfriend, Reinne. And he’s also helping others heal from their grief–with every cup of coffee.

This Young Man is Turning Grief Into Purpose with Coffee Shop Start Up

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In 2022, Tommy Le was driving home one night with Reinne in his passenger seat when they were hit head-on by a drunk driver. Reinne passed away in Tommy’s arms within seconds.

They had met in a coffee shop the year before. She was studying to be a nurse, and he was a college dropout working as a barista.

“Reinne always wanted me to pursue what made me happy," Tommy said. "She was everything to me.”

But, "I didn't want a sob story. I wanted to actually build something because it means a lot to me," he said.

In the last three years, he created a business plan for Reinne’s place, a Filipino-Vietnamese coffee shop. He struggled to get a loan for his shop until his friends launched a crowdfunding campaign for him.

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“Reinne was looking out for me, and she knew I was ready, and that time was finally here," Tommy says. 

His new shop is under construction, but a local gallery has let him set up shop temporarily. 

Inspired by How He Met His Girlfriend

"We move a little bit slower here intentionally, because we want to actually get to know you. That's how I met Reinne," he said.

Each drink is named after Reinne, and customers can write “Reinne checks,” notes to love ones who have passed. 

Reinne’s sister said, "My sister loved being the center of attention, light in the room type of thing, and the fact that she's still doing that somehow is very telling of the person she was.”

"It's been the most gratifying feeling to not only share this loss about Reinne with her, as she lives and breathes in this space, but the countless other people who have shared in that with me," Tommy said.

It’s Built Out of Love, and it Will Endure Out of Love

He said, “we built this place because of love. We continue building it because of love. and every single cup that passes through our hands is a reminder that the people we cherish deserve to be cherished while they’re here.”

This is such a beautiful story of grief and purpose. Reinne was fortunate to have a loving boyfriend and supportive family while she was alive, and they’re blessed to have known her. 

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h/t: CBS News

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Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.