Coffee Emporium bringing roasting operations to 12th & Walnut

One of Cincinnati's favorite local coffee shops continues to expand and continues to keep it local.

Coffee Emporium now operates three coffee shops throughout Cincinnati: the original location in East Hyde Park, the Central Parkway location in Over-the-Rhine and one on Xavier University's campus.

As the locally owned and operated business grows Coffee Emporium owner, Tony Tausch, is staying true to the store's roots by staying fresh and staying local.

In addition to their new Snowville Creamery milk that is used in each one of their delectable drinks, they also roast all of their coffee beans fresh on-site and even offer wholesale purchases.

All this growth though has increased the demand on their roasting facilities.  As a result, Coffee Emporium found itself in need of a local location to accommodate their growing capacity. This need was recently met with the purchase of the former Noel's Plumbing location at 12th and Walnut streets just a block north of their Central Parkway location in Over-the-Rhine.

Many neighborhood activists feared that the building might sit vacant due to its narrow reuse possibilities, but the introduction of Coffee Emporium's roasting facility and the strengthening roots of a popular neighborhood establishment was a tremendous victory says Gateway Quarter retail leasing agent, Kathleen Norris.

The building has already seen some noticeable improvements since it has fallen into Coffee Emporium's hands.  New mural's indicating the coffee shop's presence have gone up on all three sides of the building visible on the street corner.

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Amber Kersley