Coffee Shops 3

A coffee shop can be called “beloved” when it has existed for over twenty years—and when its opening and closing hours are literally followed by “ish,” as in “eight-ish.” Central Perk European Cafe in Oakwood, Ohio, is beloved.

Lattes at Central Perk European Cafe in Oakwood, Ohio

The community comes together morning after morning at Central Perk, which has served Eleanor Y. Stewart and me some of the best lattes we have had. On a recent visit, we noted that friends had taken two of the larger tables and were conversing happily. So as to be heard by the second table, a woman at the first table raised her voice and joked about surviving her daughter’s college tuition, an amusing comment appreciated by all customers. The feeling is tribal, amicable neighbors regularly gathering here for coffee camaraderie and latte laughter verging upon the sacred.

Scone (Always Fresh!) at Central Perk European Cafe

In Oakwood, Ohio

The scones are heavenly! Hands dusted with flour work their wonders each day, and, soon, the scones come from the oven hot and delectable, surrounded by such temptations as diaphanous jelly and ambrosial butter.

Hailing from Liverpool, the owner prepares the coffees in the same way that artists compose their canvases, and he serves his masterpieces in various mugs with designs nodding toward merry old England. Art for sale adorns the walls. During our latest meeting, Eleanor and I appreciated a series of clever illustrations championing dog ownership. As Eleanor has worked for animal rescue organizations, the framed sketches struck a chord.

Sunlight streams through the east-facing windows, creating one of the most joyful shops in our experience. Patrons take the measure of the morning cup by cup and scone by scone. Warmed by aromatic latte and cheerful sunbeams, Eleanor and I find our conversations drifting into hope and contentment.

In Sketches by Boz (1833–1836), Charles Dickens described a Christmas dinner: “Who can be insensible to the outpourings of good feeling, and the honest interchange of affectionate attachment, which abound at this season of the year?” The same good feeling and affectionate attachment abound at Central Perk in all seasons!