In the former Mud Pie Bakery space near 95th and Metcalf in Overland Park, final touches are underway as a new chapter begins.

During staff training sessions at R Qahwah Cafe earlier this week, matcha powder was ground, spices like cardamom and cinnamon were stirred into lattes, and a few friends and family filtered in to get a first look at the new space.

At the center of it all, Rufaida Elmansi eagerly greeted familiar faces, grateful for the people who helped her get so close to the finish line.

Her new Yemeni coffee shop will “soft open” its doors later this week.

R Qahwah Cafe is opening at 7319 W. 95th St.

• The coffee shop is opening in a space just off 95th Street and Metcalf Avenue, near Kiwami Ramen & Sushi.
• Vegan bakery Mud Pie previously occupied that space before relocating to Mission.
• During its soft opening phase, R Qahwah will be open 3 to 9 p.m., Wednesday through Monday.

R Qahwah will serve coffee made with Yemeni beans

The menu at R Qahwah offers a variety of coffee drinks made from beans originating from Yemen, thought by many to be the first place coffee was served as a beverage.

R Qahwah’s offerings will come in many forms, and with many floral and fruity flavors. That includes some signature drinks like cardamom lattes and a peanut butter latte with a peanut butter topping.

In addition to Yemeni coffee, the menu at R Qahwah will pull from some other cultures as well.

For example, the cafe will feature offerings with Brazilian roots, where Elmansi herself grew up. That will include a Brazilian drip coffee and brigadeiros, a popular chocolate treat in Brazil.

The cafe’s matcha, already a popular choice among friends and family, hails from Japan.

The shop’s name is a nod to its owner, and to the shop’s purpose. The “R” is Elmansi’s first initial, and “Qahwah” is the Arabic word for coffee.

Ultimately, Elmansi said, she wants R Qahwah to be a space where people stay a while and find a sense of community over coffee.

“I want people to have the full experience,” she says. “Not just come in and go. I hope people actually enjoy being here.”

This marks Elmansi’s first coffee shop

Turning the former bakery space into her cafe has been a lengthy process, one that Elmansi said has taught her a lot.

Though it’s her first initial in the shop’s logo, she hasn’t been doing it alone. Her husband, Jad Hijaz, has been a helping hand every step of the way.

That support, she said tearfully on Monday, has made all the difference.

“My name stands here, but without my husband, I would not have this at all,” she said.

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