Ohio's "Third Places"
12/18/2009 | Feoshia Henderson
Our favorite local coffee shops are rarely about the java, right? We choose our roosts because they are comfortable, convivial community hubs -- what sociologists like to call the "Third Place."
Home is home, and work is work, but our beloved coffee shop is something else altogether. Falling somewhere in between, these places serve as alternatives to our traditional employment and socializing venues. While there, customers can read the newspaper, catch up with friends and neighbors, or put the finishing touches on the Great American Novel. Coffee shops also have become our go-to sources for hyper-local news and information. A great cappuccino is merely a bonus.
It seems that every great neighborhood sports a great neighborhood coffee shop. Fortunately, Ohio is blessed with many such places in which to warm up, chill out, and reconnect with society.
Gypsy Beans not only sits at the heart of Cleveland's reemerging Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood, it can accept some of the credit for its comeback. One of the first indie start-ups to move into the area, Gypsy provided the caffeine that fueled much of the subsequent growth.
Located on Cleveland’s near-west side, in what is now called the Gordon Square Arts District, Gypsy shares the neighborhood with new bars, shops, restaurants, boutiques and a movie theater. Tucked into an old storefront, the space has a decidedly European feel, with well-worn wood floors, black-and-white photography and large chalkboard menus. Expansive windows overlook the well-trafficked streets and sidewalks.
The shop's name is a reference to owner Niki Gillota's wanderlust. "I like to travel,” she says, "and a lot of the coffee drinks are based on my experiences.” Gypsy's drinks offer tastes from around the world, from traditionally prepared cappuccinos and lattes, to tropical macadamia nut and coconut concoctions.
Like Cleveland’s Detroit Shoreway, Columbus' Grandview Heights attracts young residents thanks to its walkable streets, trendy bars and restaurants, and tight-knit community bonds. And at the epicenter of it all is Stauf's, a community fixture since 1988. Situated in a college town (Go Buckeyes!), it’s fitting that this shop can fill textbooks with the coffee knowledge it possesses. On-site roasting guarantees the freshest, fullest tasting brews in the region.
Morning, noon and night, this bustling "Third Place” is filled with students, work-from-homers, chatting friends, and busy moms. They come for the coffee, sure, but also the camaraderie. That, and the pastry. In addition to providing high quality coffee -- and a comfortable perch in which to sip it -- Stauf’s supports its neighbors through numerous charitable efforts.
Located in Akron’s artsy Highland Square neighborhood, Angel Falls is the kind of place where one might find authors and bloggers holding court over steaming cups of Venezuelan coffee. Run by Rafael Oletta, of Caracas, the shop is one of the few that specializes exclusively in Venezuelan coffee. For something devilishly rich, try the Vulcan Negro, the madre of all hot chocolates.
It’s nearly impossible to not feel at home here, considering the comfy couches, kitschy board games, and the bookshelves filled with loaner copies. During lunch hours, Angel Falls dishes up an array of Latin-inspired fare, from spicy beef sandwiches to flavorful soups. On the go? Grab one of the many delectable pastries and hit the road.
Since opening in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Cincinnati some 35 years ago, Coffee Emporium has established a reputation as a quality coffee provider. Today, the small local chain operates three locations, including the ultra-urban oasis in the reemerging Over-the-Rhine district. Owners Tony and Eileen Tausch, both graduates from the University of Cincinnati, have endeared themselves to their neighbors by hosting popular Final Friday art displays, First Friday wine tastings, and various other community-building events.
Tony Taush is a skilled coffee roaster, preparing thousands of pounds each week for his stores, as well for area restaurants. Demand for his product has been so strong, in fact, that he recently expanded his roasting ops into a nearby 8,000-square-foot warehouse. As wonderful as the coffee is, it’s the waffles that folks can’t seem to stop talking about. Customers line up on Saturdays (downtown) and Sundays (Hyde Park) for Waffle Madness, where large Belgian beauties come topped with all the good stuff.
Tucked into the former home of Brewed Awakenings, the freshly minted Ground Level Coffee House is destined to become a home-away-from-home for many in the Toledo’s arts community. "We are artist and performer owned," says founder Jesse Lipman, a writer and poet. Possessing an intimate performance space, the coffeehouse is the site of frequent live events, ranging from concerts to poetry slams.
Serving Flying Rhino Coffee, a Toledo-based product, Ground Level takes its brew as seriously as its blues. The small-batch roaster provides some of the finest single-origin beans in the region. Both children and adults can get behind the house hot chocolate, made with both dark and white chocolate blended with steamed milk. Well-constructed sandwiches and other light fare means that hungry performers need not slip out at set-break for snacks.
As the name implies, Express Yourself is all about self expression. Art and music are both central to the operation, with frequent exhibits and performances filing the calendar and attracting neighbors. The Cavern Club, an all-ages music venue, is located in the basement.
The beans come courtesy of Dayton’s Boston Stoker, a large regional wholesaler of freshly roasted coffee. In addition to the usual caffeinated fare, Express Yourself whips up dreamy latte milkshakes containing shots of espresso. Located just a block from the Xenia courthouse, the shop is a convenient midday stop for hungry commuters. Soups, sandwiches and pastries are all made to order and supremely affordable. And, like any self-respecting coffee shop, there’s Wi-Fi access for all.