Carli Clesmere 
A new Pilates studio + matcha bar has arrived in downtown Maplewood. Qumi, a new wellness destination located at 169 Maplewood Avenue, Suite C, opened last month, bringing together movement, matcha, and community in the heart of downtown Maplewood. The business combines a Pilates studio with an on-site matcha bar so guests can enjoy both a workout and a handcrafted drink without ever leaving the building. Read on for more about this Maplewood newcomer.
About Qumi
The concept is the brainchild of longtime friends and Qumi co-owners Camilia Purino and Zephaniah Barte, who met while attending Union High School.
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“We went to high school together, but we never really hung out. We had mutual friends, but we didn’t talk or anything like that,” Camilia said. “After high school, we met up again, and ever since we just were inseparable.”
While searching for a location for her Pilates business, Camilia brought Zephaniah, who had long dreamed of opening her own cafe, along to tour potential spaces. When they entered the future lobby of Qumi, it was love at first sight.
“When we came in here, everything fit together with Zephaniah’s vision, my vision, and we’re like, ‘let’s just do it,’” Camilia said. “The next day we signed the lease after we visited this studio… to see it all come to life was like, whoa, it’s happened so fast.”
“We were always at different Pilates studios looking for a coffee or a matcha, and so naturally it was just like, ‘why not do it for her own studio?’” Zephaniah said.
A Pilates Studio + Matcha Bar in Downtown Maplewood
Opening their own business marked a significant career shift for the pair. Camilia teaches both mat and reformer classes at Qumi and worked as an accountant for five years before earning her Pilates instructor certification.
“I hated it [accounting]. I hated sitting at the desk; my back would hurt, and I would just get carpal tunnel or whatever from typing,” Camilia said. “I would go to lunch, go to my Pilates class, and I wouldn’t want to come back, because I just love Pilates a lot.”
Zephaniah, who runs the cafe in the Qumi lobby, worked at a coffee shop in Union for several years, where she gained a love for cafe culture and a deep understanding of matcha.
“Originally it was supposed to be a transitional job, but I was there for a little bit, and I was just kind of like looking for purpose and looking for something to own for myself and knowing that I was building something,” Zephaniah said. “Camilia wanted to open up her cafe, and it happened really seamlessly.”
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The Local Response
The vibrantly decorated space opened to the public on May 4th, and since then, Camilia and Zephaniah said the reception has been overwhelmingly positive.
“I feel like since that little over a month that we’ve been open, the group of community that we’ve built has been great,” Camilia said. “Even the local businesses around are always supportive. They come by, say hi… and they always ask if we need anything or if they can do anything to help.”
“I’ve had people try it to support us, and they’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, like this is like the best matcha I’ve ever had,’ which always makes me happy, of course,” Zephaniah said. “But a lot of the locals have been really supportive.”
What’s Next for Qumi
Looking ahead, Zephaniah plans to expand the cafe’s menu, including introducing seasonal options and espresso-based drinks. Above all, both women hope to continue fostering the sense of community that has defined their business from day one.
“I would love for people to know that Cam and I would love to just be an open ear to anyone who needs it,” Zephaniah said. “I know that’s kind of odd, because we are a business, but to just give people a safe place and know that there’s a place for them.”
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