New Plainfield Café Blends Coffee, Cocktails & Community
The town of Plainfield has a new coffee-to-cocktails café in the space attached to Plainfield’s performing arts center, Hendricks Live! It’s based on the vision the Lema family has had for several years now.
“My in-laws, Mike and Lynn Lema, have talked about opening a coffee shop for a long time, but it didn’t happen for them early on,” says Aubrey Lema. “Lynn’s career took her through HR, retail and then events and catering. I have a background in working with coffee. I’ve always loved the atmosphere, so it kind of ended up being a family thing. We would all joke about when we would eventually open our own coffee shop.”
In October 2022, they decided to make the leap, and it just so happened the Civic Center was under construction, Hendricks Live! was underway, and the town was looking for a food and beverage business to complete the space.
The Green Room Café officially opened in June 2025. The name is a nod to the performing arts center.
A green room is the space in the theater to prepare for a performance or to relax afterward. The Lemas hope to be that third space for people outside of home and work.
There is a separate door open to guests when the Civic Center is closed, but they can also open a door that leads to the lobby of Hendricks Live! They’ll be open for breakfast for those coming into the office in the morning and for the show you’ll be attending at the theater Friday or Saturday evening.
“We like to tell people it’s a coffee shop by day and cocktail lounge by night,” Lema says. “We have a full coffee and espresso menu available all day, but in the evening, we also open a cocktail bar and bring in seasonal cocktails as well.”
The coffee menu includes double espressos, cortados, lattes, cold brew and more, and it’s brought in from Generous Coffee Co., a specialty-grade, craft-roasted, ethically sourced clean coffee. In addition, Generous Coffee Co. donates 100% of its profits to nonprofit organizations.
It’s another way for the Lemas to give back while providing a morning brew that keeps customers coming back for more. A small but varied menu offers muffins, croissants and breakfast sandwiches in the morning.
Appetizers include potato skins, meatballs, a meat and cheese board and more, and desserts are classic with brownies, cheesecake and chocolate chip cookies.
However, it’s the four different flavor profiles offered to lunch and evening guests that really provide the variety of possibilities.
Choose between Korean BBQ, Pesto Chicken, Buffalo Chicken and Apple with Brie & Fig and put them in a salad, sandwich or flatbread.
“The ingredients are limited, but there are a lot of options we can do with them,” Lema says. “The intent is that everyone can find a combination that works for them, whether they are vegetarian or prefer sandwiches over flatbread.”
So far, Lema says the response from the community has been positive, though they are still working to get the word out about the new option in downtown Plainfield.
“The community has been so supportive,” Lema says. “Being in the same building as the people who work in the town has been great. People are loving it and we have amazing staff. We’re excited to see what the next season brings.”
Lema says evenings at Hendricks Live! can become quite busy and a sign of what is yet to come in Plainfield.
“This whole area is up and coming and it’s bringing new faces to the westside of Indy,” Lema says. “We wanted to bring an elevated experience to Plainfield with good quality and affordable product, and we hope to be that space people feel comfortable to spend their time together.”
Visit tgrplainfield.com for more information.
