Books and coffee, coffee and books. These things go together with simple, pleasurable ease, a mug of something delicious in the one hand, a good read in the other. In Omaha, Nebraska, Zen Coffee Company are taking the books-and-coffee unified paradigm to the next level by opening up a spiffy new space inside the Downtown Omaha Central Library. The shop opened in spring, and we’re thrilled to be featuring it here in June as an early hit in our 2026 Build-Outs series.
The 2026 Build-outs of Coffee is presented by DONA, Pacific Barista Series, and La Marzocco.
As told to Sprudge by Abby McLeay.
For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?
Zen Coffee Company was founded in 2017 in downtown Omaha with the goal of creating more than just a coffee shop. We wanted to build intentional spaces where people genuinely feel welcomed, connected, and comfortable slowing down for a moment. Over the years, that’s grown into multiple locations across Omaha and Lincoln, but the heart behind it has stayed the same: high quality coffee, meaningful hospitality, and community-focused spaces that feel warm and approachable.
As a company, we’ve always tried to balance excellent coffee with an excellent experience. We put a huge emphasis on training, consistency, sustainability, and guest connection because we believe people remember how a space made them feel just as much as what they drank. Whether someone is stopping in for a quick latte, working for a few hours, meeting a friend, or studying all day, we want Zen to feel like a place they can settle into.
Can you tell us a bit about the new space?
The new location inside Downtown Omaha Central Library is honestly one of the most meaningful projects we’ve ever been part of. Libraries naturally represent community, education, creativity, and accessibility, which aligns so closely with what we’ve always hoped Zen could contribute to a city.
The space itself was designed to feel integrated into the library rather than separate from it. We wanted it to feel calm, bright, welcoming, and functional for all kinds of guests, whether that’s students, professionals, families, or people simply looking for a place to exist comfortably for a while. There are a lot of intentional details in the design that tie into both the architecture of the library and the warmth people associate with coffee shops.
Opening week was incredible and a little overwhelming in the best way. The support from the community has been huge, and it’s been exciting seeing the cafe become such an active gathering space so quickly!!
What’s your approach to coffee?
Our approach has always been quality first, but also accessibility. We take coffee seriously, but we never want people to feel intimidated by it. We focus heavily on sourcing, training, consistency, and preparation while still creating an environment that feels approachable and fun.
Our espresso profile is intentionally a little more coffee-forward and we concoct less overly sweet drinks than many large chains that currently oversaturate Omaha, Nebraska. We really want the coffee itself to shine through, whether someone is drinking it straight or in a flavored latte. At the same time, we also recognize that coffee culture evolves, and customers want creativity and excitement too. That’s why we lean into seasonal menus, specialty drinks, flights, and new trends while still maintaining quality standards behind the scenes.
At the end of the day, coffee is both a craft and a hospitality business. You can make an incredible drink, but if the experience feels cold or transactional, people won’t connect to it. For us, the goal is always to make people feel cared for from the moment they walk through the door, no matter what they order!
Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?
We partner with our dear friends at Dapper & Wise for coffee, this location has a custom Rancilio Classe 7, Mazzer grinders, plus gear by Origami, Slow Pour Supply, and Acaia.
How is your project considering sustainability?
Sustainability has been an important part of Zen Coffee Company from the beginning, so it was something we intentionally considered throughout this project as well. Operationally, we work hard to reduce waste wherever possible. We partner with local composting and recycling programs to divert a large amount of our daily waste from landfills, including coffee grounds, food waste, paper products, and compostable service items. We also prioritize biodegradable packaging, reusable dine-in ware when possible, and more sustainable sourcing practices through our coffee partnerships.
We also think sustainability extends beyond environmental impact. Creating a community-centered space that people genuinely use and care about matters too. Libraries are already incredible shared community resources, so being able to contribute to an environment where people can gather, study, work, and connect in one shared space felt very aligned with our values.
What’s your hopeful target opening date/month?
We opened April 19, 2026
Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that you’d like to mention?
Designed HDR and Omaha Library Foundation. Built by Kiewit
Thank you!
Thank YOU.
The 2026 Build-outs of Coffee is presented by DONA, Pacific Barista Series, and La Marzocco.
