Bryan Stalder
Contributor

On the afternoon of Sunday, January 11, The Museum of Kansas City (3218 Gladstone Blvd) was filled with conversation, the soft rhythm of bamboo whisks, and the earthy aroma of matcha as HerCafe hosted a pop-up inside the museum.

HerCafe, Kansas City’s first mobile matcha cart, is known for transforming everyday spaces into gathering places, and the museum was a great setting for this. Visitors arriving for the afternoon found a steady line forming as drinks were prepared one by one, each order hand-whisked and thoughtfully finished.

Founded by friends Yasmen Hassen and Lujyn Elsayed, HerCafe has quickly become a familiar name around the city, drawing crowds at neighborhood markets, wellness events and cultural spaces. Their pop-up at The Museum of Kansas City felt especially intentional, pairing naturally with the museum’s current exhibition Miss Shizuoka, which explores Japanese-American connections and is on view through early February.

“It is very important for the Museum to connect artifacts with current events and happenings in our city. This partnership event was a perfect example of how history is living and relevant today. In addition, in 1905, Mr. Long helped facilitate the founding of Joshi Seigakuin (the Girls School of Holiness) in a suburb of Tokyo, Japan. Mr. Long’s gift toward the establishment of the school was a tribute to his mother, Margaret K. Long.” said Paul Gutiérrez, Deputy Director of Visitor Experience and Public Engagement. 

The menu featured HerCafe’s signature seasonal matcha and hojicha drinks, including crowd favorites like lavender london, vanilla, and maple matchas, as well as two news drinks: white chocolate raspberry matcha, peppermint chocolate hojicha, Guests sipped their drinks inside the museum café or took them outside to enjoy on the historic lawns, where conversations flowed as easily as the lattes.

What stood out most was the atmosphere. Rather than a quick grab-and-go experience, the pop-up encouraged people to slow down. While waiting in line, visitors chatted with friends, strangers and the HerCafe team, reinforcing the founders’ focus on connection as much as caffeine.

Since launching just over a year ago, HerCafe has built a loyal following across Kansas City, with customers often tracking down pop-ups through social media and word of mouth. Events like the Museum of Kansas City appearance highlight why: the drinks are carefully crafted, but the sense of welcome is what keeps people coming back.

For those who missed the museum pop-up, HerCafe continues to host events throughout the metro. Updates on future locations and menus can be found on Instagram or by contacting contacthercafe@gmail.com.

For more upcoming events at The Museum of Kansas City visit museumofkansascity.org