Man Opens Coffee Shop to Honor Late Girlfriend's Dream

Reinne's Place, a Vietnamese and Filipino coffee shop, currently operates as a pop-up in Long Beach, Calif.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

More than three years after his girlfriend Reinne Lim died in a tragic car crash, Tommy Le has opened a coffee shop called Reinne's Place to honor her dream of owning her own coffee shop. Reinne's Place, which describes itself as a Vietnamese and Filipino coffee shop, currently operates as a pop-up in Long Beach, Calif., with a brick-and-mortar location set to open soon.

Why it matters

This story highlights how someone can turn their personal tragedy into a positive legacy by fulfilling their loved one's unfulfilled dreams. It also showcases how a small business can be a way to honor and remember someone special, while also providing a space for the community.

The details

After Reinne Lim died in a head-on collision with a drunk driver in October 2022, her boyfriend Tommy Le decided to open a coffee shop called Reinne's Place to honor her dream of owning her own coffee shop. Reinne's Place, which describes itself as a Vietnamese and Filipino coffee shop, currently operates as a pop-up in Long Beach, Calif., with a permanent brick-and-mortar location set to open in the spring. Le has poured himself into learning the coffee industry and creating a space that reflects Reinne's memory, with features like 'Reinne Checks' that allow all guests to honor anyone they have lost.

  • Reinne Lim died in a car crash in October 2022.
  • Dylan Erric James Robinson, the drunk driver who struck Lim and Le's car, was sentenced in June 2024.
  • Reinne's Place currently operates as a pop-up in Long Beach, Calif.
  • The permanent Reinne's Place location is slated to open in the spring.

The players

Reinne Lim

Reinne Lim was Tommy Le's girlfriend who died in a tragic car crash in October 2022. She had dreamed of opening her own coffee shop.

Tommy Le

Tommy Le is the boyfriend of the late Reinne Lim. After her death, he has opened a coffee shop called Reinne's Place to honor her dream of owning her own coffee shop.

Dylan Erric James Robinson

Dylan Erric James Robinson was the drunk driver who struck and killed Reinne Lim in the October 2022 car crash. He was sentenced in June 2024.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I've poured myself into learning everything I could about this industry, not just as a barista, but as someone who wants to do this with intention. I spent countless hours asking questions, failing, learning because I didn't want to build just another shop, but to create something that reflects everything I believe coffee can be.”

— Tommy Le (Instagram)

“The opportunity to open a shop presented itself. Everything started lining up in a way that didn't feel like coincidence, it felt like Reinne was looking out for me, like she knew I was finally ready, and made sure the pieces were there when the time was right.”

— Tommy Le (Instagram)

“Reinne's Place isn't just a coffee shop. It's a space built out of love, loss, healing and hope. The kind of place I wish I had when I didn't know where to go. Somewhere that reminds you you're not alone.”

— Tommy Le (Instagram)

“I'm sometimes someone's first interaction for the day. How can I make an impact on their day, just that day, and continue to do that every single day?”

— Tommy Le (ABC 7)

“The beautiful thing about it is that people define loss in their own way and in their own capacities. They all hold their own story, but I think it showed people when you're looking at this whole wall of 'Reinne Checks,' or you look at this whole stack of 'Reinne Checks,' is that we all have a lot more in common than we think we do.”

— Tommy Le (Long Beach Post)

What’s next

The permanent Reinne's Place location is slated to open in the spring.

The takeaway

This story demonstrates how turning personal tragedy into a positive legacy can be a powerful way to honor a loved one's memory. By opening Reinne's Place, Tommy Le has created a space that not only fulfills his late girlfriend's dream, but also provides a welcoming community hub where people can come together, find connection, and remember those they have lost.