Talk about timing — during a trip to Kauaʻi for the Kauaʻi Poke Fest, we stopped by Melrose, thanks to a friend's recommendation. At the time of our visit, the shop had only reopened two weeks prior, following repairs from the Kona Low storms earlier this spring.
“After the bad storms, our whole ceiling collapsed,” says Jade Brooks, founder and creative director of Melrose. “We unfortunately could not be open (after that); we tried to pivot and do curbside things and deliveries, but it was pretty rough.
“This past year has been one of the most challenging and rewarding chapters in our story,” she adds. “Following significant building damage that temporarily forced us to close our doors, we were reminded just how much support exists within our community. The encouragement we received from customers, neighbors and visitors reinforced why we do what we do. The experience strengthened our commitment to Melrose and inspired us to return with renewed energy and exciting new additions to the brand.”
When creating the concept for Melrose, Brooks had the vision to create a “beautiful gathering place centered around hospitality, daily rituals, and thoughtfully prepared food and beverages.” She says the space is inspired by coastal living, European cafes and neighborhood gathering spaces.
“Melrose was created to be more than a café; it was designed to feel like an extension of home,” Brooks explains.
What started as a neighborhood café steadily evolved into a hospitality and lifestyle brand. Melrose has become a blend of a café, market, provisions shop and curated retail experience under one roof. Customers can not only find lattes and bistro fare, but also European clothing.
Creating a customer experience that was rooted in hospitality was essential, according to Brooks.
“Our goal has always been to create a place people want to return to, not just for what we serve, but for how it makes them feel,” Brooks says. “Today, Melrose is known for its signature beverages, fresh-baked pastries, elevated breakfast offerings, thoughtfully curated provisions and distinctive atmosphere that blends Island charm with timeless coastal elegance.”
The business’s name was inspired by Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, where Brooks lived before moving to Hawaiʻi. She remembers that chapter of her life being filled with creativity.
“The name (Melrose) always stayed with me,” she says. “When it came time to create the brand, ‘Melrose’ felt like the perfect fit — timeless, memorable, and reflective of the beautiful, curated experience I wanted to create.”
Customers can find a variety of coffee- and matcha-based beverages on Melrose’s menu. Drinks usually start at a base price of $7.50; there is an additional charge for alternative milks (coconut, oat, soy or almond). Iced beverages come in 16- and 24-ounce sizes; hot drinks come in 16-ounce sizes.
Customers can choose from options like the Melrose mocha, chai latte, Melrose matcha, and brown butter caramel latte, to name a few.
“The Melrose matcha is our most popular beverage and is the drink most synonymous with the Melrose brand,” Brooks says. “Smooth and creamy, our matcha is crafted with Melrose’s signature sweet-and-salty flavor profile. It’s a flavor guests often compare to a French butter cookie — slightly sweet, lightly salted and perfectly balance.”
Brooks says the drink remains the cafe's best-selling beverage year after year, and it has developed a loyal customer following.
On the coffee side, the Miss Melrose and brown butter caramel latte are customer favorites. The latter features espresso, house brown butter caramel and the customer’s choice of milk.
“The Miss Melrose is our signature coconut cream coffee that’s inspired by traditional Vietnamese coffee,” Brooks says. “Rich espresso is blended with creamy coconut to create a velvety, refreshing drink that feels indulgent without being overly sweet.”
Melrose also has a collection of beverages that were seasonal, but became so popular that now they’re available permanently. Options include the banana bread latte or matcha — featuring a housemade banana bread syrup — ballerina matcha, which includes strawberry syrup; birthday cake latte or matcha, which features a housemade Funfetti cake syrup.
Besides beverages, Melrose offers breakfast fare and a variety of pastries and desserts. Bestselling options include the truffle egg croissant ($12) — which was so popular that it was already sold out at the time of our visit — stuffed ham and chevre croissant ($7.50), sweet cream cinnamon sugar pretzel ($7.50), house focaccia and dill sauce ($8), and housemade cookies ($3.75 each).
Housemade cookies are available in three flavors — brown butter chocolate chip, chewy coconut oatmeal, and lavender sugar.
“The truffle egg croissant is our signature breakfast item and one of the dishes we’re most known for,” Brooks says. “Fluffy eggs are layered inside a buttery, flaky croissant and finished with black truffle and sea salt. The contrast of the delicate pastry, rich eggs and luxurious bites of truffle throughout creates a breakfast experience that is both comforting and indulgent.”
Melrose also offers a selection of to-go items in its market fridge. Choose from sauces and spreads (creamy alfredo pasta sauce, Italian sausage ragu or signature dill sauce); picnic bites (like daily focaccia bread bites); and cookie doughs to bake at home.
“We’re offering curated items for entertaining, gifting, beach picnics and family dinners," Brooks says. "We believe hospitality extends beyond our tables and into our customers’ homes.”
As regular customers and new faces come through Melrose’s doors, Brooks is excited for all that lies ahead. She says customers can look forward to new retail concepts, products, partnerships.
“As the brand continues to grow, we’re focused on expanding the Melrose experience beyond the traditional café model," Brooks says. "We see Melrose as a hospitality-driven lifestyle brand with exciting concepts currently in development that will allow us to serve our community in entirely new ways.
“We’re deeply grateful for the support we’ve received over the years,” she adds. “We remain committed to creating beautiful spaces, memorable experiences and products that make everyday life feel a little more special. At its heart, Melrose is about hospitality. Our goal is always the same — to create moments that bring people together.”
CONTACT
Melrose
3-3178 Kūhiō Hwy., Līhu‘e
melrosetogo.com
Instagram: @alohamelrose
Open 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, closed Sundays
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
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