Cold Brook Cafe • Case Study

The Goals

• Develop a brand with strong ties to the Scituate, RI community, drawing inspiration from the local history behind the name “Cold Brook.
• Position the café as a cozy, comforting spot for quick breakfasts and hearty lunches, with a welcoming ambiance that feels like it belongs in the town.
• Design a cohesive visual identity that spans store signage, menus, menu boards, product packaging, and digital assets.
• Ensure the website drives user engagement, specifically focusing on increasing takeout calls.
• Create a logo and visual identity that reflect a timeless yet fresh feel, aligned with the café’s look and vibe.

The Approach

• Brand Strategy: The first step was scouting a location in the heart of the village, followed by an in-depth research phase into Scituate’s local history. After learning that the name “Scituate” came from the Wampanoag Indian word for “cold brook,” the café was named Cold Brook Café to establish a meaningful connection to the town.
• Visual Identity: The café’s branding focused on creating a visual identity that was both fresh and familiar. A soothing palette of natural blues and greens complemented the café’s interior, with accents of ‘Tea & Honey’ for warmth. The emblem was custom-designed to fit the existing sign on the building, while the logo, menu, and packaging all adhered to a detailed Style Guide to ensure brand consistency.
• Website: Built on WordPress, the café’s website was designed with a mobile-first approach to support easy access to takeout orders. Behind-the-scenes work included setting up web hosting, purchasing the domain, and ensuring SSL certification.
• Menu Design: The menu was carefully crafted to highlight popular and profitable items, with the design tailored for both takeout and dine-in customers. Menu boards were also created to display key information at the counter.

Agritourism • Food & Beverage • Agriculture