If you’ve resolved to drink better coffee in the New Year (which you should, if you don’t already), you have plenty of opportunities in Columbus. One of the oldest roasters in town is Stauf’s Coffee Roasters, which went through a little re-branding and re-grouping this past year. Stauf’s and the Cup O’ Joe coffee shops are part of the same company, which also included the three Mojoe Lounges. The Mojoes are now gone, as are four Cup O’ Joes (Short North, Easton, airport, and Bexley), but the German Village location has been refurbished and rebranded into another Stauf’s.
The move seems fitting, especially given the growth of more coffee shops and roasters around town. The remaining Cup O Joe coffee shops are still rocking, but the revamped Stauf’s (and their take-over of the North Market coffee stall) is helping them keep pace with newer shops. I visited the German Village location to catch-up with Stauf’s president Mark Swanson; while we met, Stauf’s founder Tom Griesemer was busy roasting in the shop. They now roast at all of their shops, in addition to their bigger wholesale operation on the west side.
I think roasting on site helps remind customers that Stauf’s is a roaster in addition to being a coffee shop. Nothing really beats the smell of roasting coffee, and with the smiling invitation from Tom, you’ll find a welcome opportunity to learn all about coffee.
The shop has been rebranded with a slicker and simpler black and white design.
If you spent any time in the old German Village Cup O’ Joe, you’ll immediately notice the brighter and more open layout of the new shop.
Mark told me, too, about their shift to bake everything in-house. The German Village shop, with the adjoining space to the north (that used to hold the Mojoe Lounge), affords them the room to expand their baking capacity. Each shop will tailor their baked goods to the neighborhood.
This results is some pretty great cinnamon rolls that pair nicely with their espresso.
Here’s a good look at the renovated space.
Like the Grandview Stauf’s location, the German Village one now offers home brewing equipment and whole beans.
The former MoJoe Lounge space is bright and open.
And in the warm weather their patio will further expand their space (and offer a great spot for sipping coffee!).
Have you been to the new Stauf’s locations yet? What do you think of the new look?
