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!

Coffee Shops 2

Tipp City, Ohio, was founded as Tippecanoe in 1840. The name “Tippecanoe” was a nickname for General William Henry Harrison, who claimed to have handed a confederation of Native Americans a defeat on November 7th in 1811. The name is derived from a Native American term, Kithtipecanunk (Kitapkwanunk in the language of the Miami people) meaning “buffalo-fish place,” which may refer to a location with plentiful fish and game. In 1841, Harrison became the ninth President of the United States but served only a month, dying from pneumonia. William Henry was the grandfather of Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd President. Tippecanoe was located beside the Miami & Erie Canal. In 1938, the name was changed to Tipp City, to distinguish the town from a hamlet by the same name in eastern Ohio. When I visit Tipp City (which is often), I get my low-fat latte at Old Tippecanoe Coffee Company, which is on North Second Street.

Latte at Old Tippecanoe Coffee Company

In Tipp City, Ohio

(Another customer turned to me and said,

“That looks yummy!” I verify that, yes, the latte was!)

The coffee shop is one of many destinations for me. Tipp City is blessed with lovely homes and lively shopping. The Hotel Gallery on Main Street offers a wide range of artistic items from ceramics, through accessories, to jewelry. I have bought more items than I can name here, but I will mention that I purchased a vase from the potter who made it; its grace and beauty greet me every morning. In my view, Crossroads Consignments has no competitor; it is the finest consignment store in my experience. Treasures have made their way to my home after nearly all my visits! Readers familiar with Tipp City can recommend many more businesses, including boutiques and antique shops.

Old Tippecanoe Coffee Company gives me reliably excellent lattes, carefully prepared. The baristas are personable experts. From the tables and chairs in the front of the shop or the outdoor seating area, views of a street as American as the proverbial apple pie please the eye. Relaxation typifies my experience at Old Tippecanoe. With the aroma of the latte rising up around me, I glimpse families strolling along flower-bordered sidewalks. Life hardly gets better!

Tipp City affords several places to buy good coffee, but Old Tippecanoe holds a special place in my estimation. I once spoke with the owner, who shared valuable information about why it makes good sense to order a latte. She was as friendly as she was knowledgeable, and I came away with the conviction that she appreciated my business.  

Coffee Shops 1

Why do speakers complete sentences that begin with the words “it goes without saying”? If I may indulge in the same contradiction, I propose that, needless to say, not all coffee shops are alike. In this series of blogs, I will tell why six shops are my favorites, but I hasten to add that I love many more than six.

Lattes to Go at Java Johnny's in Middletown, Ohio

Java Johnny’s in Middletown, Ohio, heads my roster. In the copper ceiling ambience, my dear friend and co-author Eleanor Y. Stewart and I composed significant segments of the plot of our highly reviewed middle grade novel Maggie Quick. Eleanor and I walk five miles every other day, except when temperatures sink below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. When we are rained out, we often retire to Java Johnny’s for low-fat lattes. Sometimes, we add whipped cream to balance the low-fat milk. Our lattes are consistently delicious!

While gathering my thoughts about coffee shops, I asked myself if the flavor of the coffee is the sole criterion for determining my favorites, and I decided that a host of intangibles contributes to the experience. Here are a few in no particular order.

A steady stream of patrons keeps the door hinges from rusting. Does Java Johnny’s have plenty of customers? Yes, and the shop is large enough to handle constant orders without becoming crowded! We can check this item on our list.

The feeling stirred by the coffee and the surroundings is the same comfort inspired by slippers. Check! From the aroma of freshly brewed java, through the nicely spaced tables, to the pleasantly decorated copper of the ceiling, the shop wraps customers in contentment.

The baristas are friendly and knowledgeable. Check again! Whenever I enter the shop, I have complete confidence that everything will be up to the highest standard, thanks to the baristas. Never an obligation, leaving a tip is always an accolade.

Yes, Eleanor and I worked on our novel while sipping lattes. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience of writing Maggie Quick, set in an Irish–American town and featuring a girl guided by three women to discover who she is, so that she can rescue her village from evil forces before it is too late. Both Eleanor and I have Irish ancestors. Three fourths of my genetic characteristics are expressions of the British Isles, and Irish culture constantly leeched to the surface of my hometown. Eleanor and I relied on our background and experiences in forming our novel for middle grade readers. We wrote much of the dialog while walking, jotting it down after returning to Eleanor’s home. At Java Johnny’s, we tried out various trajectories that our plot might take. Without the shop, would Maggie Quick have been the same? Probably not!

So, Java Johnny’s, please accept our thanks! We will soon be back for lattes!