Cohere has been at the intersection of place and food for over 15 years, creating brands with longevity.

01. About

Cohere is a boutique agency that has been at the intersection of place and food for over 15 years, crafting brands that serve as destinations that inspire action. Our name reflects our mission: to create cohesion by connecting all parts of a project’s story, ensuring that our clients resonate with the right audiences.

We specialize in branding and marketing within the hospitality industry, working closely with restaurateurs, hoteliers, real estate developers, and founders to make a lasting impact on local communities. Our talented creative team—comprised of designers, storytellers, content creators, and even chefs—enhances the connectedness of each project’s vision.

With offices in New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and most recently in Miami, Cohere has transformed over 300 million square feet of space, revitalizing formerly abandoned buildings to better serve regional economies. Our focus spans three key sectors that significantly influence the built environment: restaurants, hotels, and real estate.

Notable projects include working with acclaimed restaurant brands like Keith McNally's Pastis Miami and Minetta Tavern DC, Stephen Starr's 30+ locations, and Michael Schulson's Collective. While working with the greats is an honor, our team also prioritizes emerging talent and brands that are in their growth phase. Our hotel experience ranges from top hotel brands such as Lifehouse Hotels, HHM Hotels and the Canopy collection, to helping smaller boutique hoteliers realize their vision. Our work shines brightest when we merge social and environmental causes with private development, exemplified by real estate projects with purpose driven missions.

02. Our Team

Founder of Cohere, Antoinette is dedicated to empowering independent brands in food, hospitality, and real estate. Recognized as a “Most Admired CEO,” she combines her design and urban planning expertise with a passion for community impact.

Antoinette Marie Johnson

Founder

An advisor to food entrepreneurs from concept through growth to exit. Founder of Tender Greens, Chef and restaurateur who scaled to 30+ locations. His advice is paramount to strategic plans in this pivotal moment for food brands.

Erik Oberholtzer

Advisor

A natural leader and connector of small businesses and established brands with the right tools needed to realize their goals in a low-stress, collaborative relationship.

Chris Richards

Partner, Dir. of Business Development

A creator of beautiful visual identities that add true value to brands and the communities they’re a part of.

Victoria Costa

Design Director

A deep thinker who creates timeless design for the atypical.

Katherine Chao

Lead Digital Designer

A designer and entrepreneurial spirit at the intersection of arts and business.

Maurice Grimes

Senior Designer

A supporter of creative thinkers, finding the ways their work ignites others.

Shandi Chester

Strategic Project Coordinator

A passionate storyteller; relentlessly curious about exploring new lenses and perspectives.

Charlotte Glancey

Content Producer

A problem solver, making her team’s and client’s lives easier through the small things that make big things possible.

Caroline Hearn

Account Manager

Cristina Shipe

Finance Manager

A dreamer and a do-er at the intersection of art direction, storytelling, and content.

Alex Cahanap

Art Director

2.1 Extended Team

Digital & Public Relations

John Roth

PR Strategist

Dexter Washington

Web Developer

Social Media Management

Melissa Gee

Social Media Director

Eva Dabill

Social Media Manager

03. Our ideal clients are small teams that are excited about their work and trust us to help them get to where they want to be, with clear communication and open-minded collaboration.

  • All
  • Products
  • Food
  • Real Estate
  • Retail
  • Hotels
  • Aaji's
  • Alfred Restaurant Group
  • Archive Development
  • Bitter Melon
  • Bonde Mercado
  • Brick Capital
  • Buccini/Pollin Group
  • Canopy by Hilton
  • Choice Market
  • Crescent Hotels
  • Davidson Hospitality
  • Di Bruno Bros
  • Dimi Cakes
  • Food Forever
  • Good Neighbor
  • Google
  • Graduate Hotels
  • Hersha Hospitality
  • HipCityVeg
  • Home Appétit
  • Honest Greens
  • Hotel Anna & Bel
  • Jaan Boutique Hotels
  • Le Zette
  • Lifehouse
  • Longfellow Real Estate
  • Mamahuhu
  • Marquis & Co.
  • Marriott
  • MCB Real Estate
  • One Table
  • Otaku Ramen
  • Post Haste
  • Post Road Hospitality
  • Riverwards
  • Schulson Collective
  • Seawall
  • STARR Restaurants
  • Tender Greens
  • The Butcher’s Daughter
  • The Crop Trust
  • Thriven Design
  • Wexford
  • WRT Design
  • Urban Conversions
  • Valley Forge Coffee
The Heart of Our Creative Agency

Our Culture

Our guiding principles run throughout our work and make our clients' projects more successful: overlapping shared values and interest to create something more impactful in the process.

Our projects gained international recognition from these organizations and publications...

04. Recognition

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Culture