photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

A lemon ricotta and jam crepe is pictured at the Streamline Coffee & Crepes shop in downtown Lawrence on April 11, 2025.

Given that Katie Hoke is an interior architect, it is not surprising that she knows a pretty specific detail about the configuration of the coffee shop she owns with business partners: It is 16 feet long — including the hitch.

Yes, the coffee shop is inside an Airstream camping trailer, parked near the intersection of Bob Billings Parkway and Wakarusa Drive. Come to find out, though, that was just coffee shop No. 1 for Hoke and her partners.

The group has opened a second shop, Streamline Coffee & Crepes at 13 E. Eighth Street in the downtown spot that used to house Taco Zone. The new shop has more space, but less hitch. As the name implies, it also has crepes.

“The Airstream is fantastic for a coffee stand, but much beyond that we really can’t do,” Hoke said of the desire to find another location to supplement the Airstream shop, which remains in operation.

Again, given Hoke’s profession as an architect — she’s an owner of the Lawrence-based Hoke Ley firm — it may not be surprising that the new space is distinctive. While many coffee shops go with calming, earth tone designs, inside of Streamline, if the coffee doesn’t wake you up the colors might.

“We said it is not possible to have too much pink,” Hoke said.

photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

Streamline Coffee & Crepes is pictured in April 2025.

The shop is a homage to something called the Memphis Design Style, an aesthetic that blends a bit of Art Deco and a bit of pop art. It is known for evoking a 1980s vibe. Indeed, the space with its bright pinks and blues, mirrored walls and other elements has a bit of a 1980s arcade feel, complete with a working Ms. Pac-Man machine in a corner.

The design is a good pairing with crepes, she said, because those are a fun food and the shop’s design is all about fun. In fact, the research for the shop involved an activity that was a bit of heaven — or perhaps hell — depending on the size of your sweet tooth and the age of your T.V. tastes.

The group ate lots of sweet crepes to test the menu, and watched a large amount of the 1980-90s teen hit Saved By the Bell. If your mind allows it, you may remember that show included many scenes of a quintessential 1980s diner and teen-hang out spot.

While you likely won’t see Zach and Kelly at the counter, you might see their modern day version in tow with a couple of kids. Hoke said creating a kid-friendly coffee shop was a priority for the owners, as they had found that not all shops in Lawrence gave off that vibe.

photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

Streamline Coffee & Crepes is pictured in April 2025.

The crepes likely help on that front. The menu trends sweet. The most popular crepe currently is one that features a lot of Nutella, a cocoa, hazelnut spread.

“I think I’ve bought the town out of Nutella,” Hoke said (sparking panic with a certain member of my household.)

Another popular offering is a version that features lemon ricotta cheese and jam, while another is a cinnamon spice crepe that includes apple butter. The sweets also extend beyond the crepes. The shop serves “dirty sodas,” which feature your favorite brand of soda pop with a couple of shots of half and half and a few squirts of sweet syrup. Also on the menu are traditional milkshakes and soda floats. Another ice cream dish is something called an affogato, which is two shots of espresso with a scoop of ice cream on top.

photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

A lemon ricotta and jam crepe is pictured at Streamline Coffee on April 11, 2025

Streamline plans to add a couple of savory options to its menu soon. The staff is back in the crepe tasting business as they test a couple of savory crepe dishes. No decisions have been made yet, but Hoke said a hash-brown and bacon crepe is a possibility, plus a sausage and egg version. She hopes to add savory crepes to the menu in the next few weeks.

photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

Streamline Coffee & Crepes is pictured in April 2025.

And, of course, there is coffee. The shop has an extensive coffee menu that includes espresso, Americano, cappuccino, lattes, mochas, drip coffee, cold brews, several teas, and other offerings.

These days, the phrase “of course, there is coffee,” might be the unofficial slogan of Lawrence. Coffee shops — both the chain and local variety — are popping up all over town. Streamline, which opened earlier this month, is next door to another coffee shop, Grounded Coffee, and a short walk from a handful of others in downtown.

Hoke said that didn’t give her pause. After all, she and her partners used to live in Seattle, where all DNA tests come back positive for coffee.

“So, to have four coffee shops next to each other, seems entirely logical to us,” Hoke said.

She said one of the things that they learned about coffee in Seattle is that it is possible for each shop to have its own personality, and be successful because of it.

“You definitely can personalize it,” Hoke said of the business. “Our goal is to have a really vibrant, welcoming shop. The goal is to have some fun.”

photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

Streamline Coffee & Crepes, 13 E. Eighth Street, is pictured in April 2025.