Some projects arrive already carrying a story one that simply needs the right identity to bring it to life. Keeper Coffee was exactly that. Inspired by the journey of a family who built their lives inside New York Italian delicatessens, the brand holds a rare balance of warmth, heritage, and creative charm that could only come from someone who grew up in the world of hospitality.

When Brittany came to our studio, Keeper was already beloved by the Portland community. It was the kind of café that slows the day down cozy, botanical, familiar, able to welcome every type of guest with conversation and a perfectly made cappuccino. Keeper had soul, personality, and intention. What it lacked was an identity strong enough to grow alongside it.

With the opening of a second location, a new menu featuring brunch, wine, and The Keepette garden kiosk, the challenge became clear: to build a brand ecosystem that was cohesive, elegant, and scalable, without losing the human warmth that defines the Keeper experience.

Our work began with strategy. We immersed ourselves in the founder’s history, in the values of community and hospitality, and in the sentimental details that make Keeper truly special. From there, we developed an identity featuring elegant calligraphy, classic compositions, and a palette that reflects the café’s intimate atmosphere. Shades of green, soft rose, blue, and white, inspired by the patterned dishes used every day. Botanical textures, organic gestures, and timeless layouts complete the system.

More than a visual identity, we created a foundation: menus, packaging, signage, social media, website design, and motion assets, all connected to ensure consistency and flow as the brand expands.

The new Keeper Coffee doesn’t overwrite the existing story, it simply reveals its deeper layers. The result is a brand that preserves the everyday warmth of the café while gaining the elegance needed for its future in hospitality. A design that honors the past, strengthens the present, and prepares Keeper for everything it is becoming.