If you are a coffee fanatic, do we have an area for you! Columbus is known for many things, and it really goes all-out when it comes to its love for coffee.
This joy over a bunch of beans (and a load of caffeine!) is expressed two different ways. There’s a festival that takes place every early fall to celebrate coffee, and there’s an entire area of the city dedicated to coffee roasters and cafes to satisfy that need. Here’s at look at both of these unique parts of life in Columbus.
The history of coffee in America
First, let’s talk a bit about how coffee became a very American thing. According to an article in Culture Trip, it was Arabia that started the coffee trade as it moved into Europe over the course of a century-plus.
By the time the 1700s were in full swing, there were hundreds of coffee shops on the continent. The British brought the bean to America when it was colonizing it, and the famous Boston Tea Party in 1773 was one harbinger of things to come, as coffee was deliberately used as a substitute for the heavily-taxed tea.
Growing coffee beans in America started in the 1900s, with larger businesses such as Folgers, Maxwell House and Hills Brothers becoming household names in the 20th century. Leap to the opening of coffee chains such as Starbucks in the 1970s, and it’s now an ingrained part of daly American life.
Columbus Coffee Fest
Taking place in Ohio Village, this great festival runs from Sept. 24 to Sept. 25. Among the activities are coffee workshops, live demonstrations and vendors. Coffee roasters and vendors aren’t only from the state — they come from around the Midwest to be a part of this annual event.
The event also features exhibitors, food trucks, vendors and live entertainment, including poetry readings (likely about coffee, at least part of the time). Get all the details at columbuscoffeefest.com.
The event takes place in a quaint and entertaining place on its own. Located at 800 E. 17th Ave., Ohio Village is the re-creation of 19th century life in Columbus, including structures made to look like that era.
Columbus Coffee Trail
As much a part of the city as a museum or other attraction, the coffee trail has become a must-stop for lovers of this particular bean. The trail, put together and promoted by the city’s tourist marketing company Experience Columbus, features more than a couple dozen different coffee shops throughout the area.
The variety of what can be offered is pretty astonishing. From places that serve a cup or more to ones that roast their own blends, it can be a great experience — with pacing. Here are just a few of the places that are part of the coffee trail.
- Boston Stoker Coffee Co, based originally in Dayton and roasting its own specialty blends.
- Brioso Coffee, based in downtown Columbus.
- Community Grounds Coffee and Meeting House, which has monthly events and is kid-friendly.
- Fox In the Snow Cafe, which is located in a revitalized mason structure and also features homemade baked goods.
- Stauf’s Coffee Roasters, a local chain with locations in German Village, Grandview Heights, North Market, Discovery District and Victorian Village.
Find out a lot more at the coffee trail website.
We can help with association management
You know what’s also a support for coffee use? Managing homeowners associations. OK, so that is a bit cheeky, but it’s true. Whether we’ve had zero cups of coffee or more than a few in a day, we will be able as part of our work to customize services to meet your community needs.
We’re able to reduce the workload of board members, save resources and improve communication through our efforts, which also include accounting, maintenance, project management and governance. Find out how we can help by visiting our website.
