Katie Podralski Kutler ’13 Opens Kaffé Karma

 

Katie Podralski Kutler ’13, a health and wellness enthusiast, social media curator and now bold entrepreneur, has opened Kaffé Karma, a Barley Mill Plaza coffee shop by day and a yoga and meditation studio in the evenings. In a recent Delaware Today article, Katie explains, “The intention behind KARMA is to become the area’s local community hub, focusing on mental health plus physical wellness. I know with the event calendar we have curated, along with our offerings, the community will find the space refreshing and a much-needed addition.”

 

Katie understands her vision is a bold one. During her retail days with lululemon (a company that makes technical athletic clothes for yoga, running, working out), she had crafted vision and goal boards that included her one-year, five-year, and ten-year goals. She accomplished her five-year goals of becoming a yoga instructor and nutritionist, but the ten-year goal of opening a cafe and yoga studio seemed unreachable. Katie took action, taking jobs at coffee shops to learn the business and customer preferences. “It’s an ambitious endeavor, but karma means “action,” and Katie wants KARMA to impact the community positively. “Honestly, at one point, I was talking to someone about the kaffé, and I said, “I envision the space as everyone’s third place. And it’s true. It’s not work, it’s not home, but it’s your home away from home — that place of familiarity, community, connection…your third place.”

 

In addition to the expected espresso-based drinks, the menu includes loose-leaf tea, fresh smoothies and mushroom coffee. Yes, you read that correctly. Mushroom coffee does not taste like Kennett mushrooms but does have a devoted client base as a healthy beverage option. “We haven’t been able to find mushroom coffee at other shops, so we’re extremely excited to offer it,” Kutler says. Creative cuisine includes wellness bowls, charcuterie and hummus boards and Satori toast—prosciutto, burrata and a hot honey drizzle on sourdough. As Katie Podralski Kutler sees it, a community can never have too many local coffee shops, especially in a state where “everyone knows everyone.” On the January 14, 2023, grand opening weekend, family members, including siblings Nick ’12 and Evan ’19, and many alumni friends came to celebrate, as Katie’s entrepreneurial vision became a

reality. Check out Kaffé Karma: 347 Buckley Mill Road, Wilmington; kaffekarma.com