When Dayton-based Boston Stoker opened up their initial Columbus location just south of the Ohio State University campus on Neil Avenue in early 2013, it provided a wonderful opportunity for me personally. Whenever I had business on campus and I had time on my side, I fell into the very tasty habit of dropping by for a shot of espresso and snacking on the whatever Clintonville-based Pattycake Bakery sweet-tooth appealing treat they had on hand that day.
However, this location, which was something of an oasis of better coffee around the campus area, was not ideal as it was a shared space with a branch of the Credit Union of Ohio (it had been a McDonald's prior.) The announced demolition of the building forced both tenants to relocate, with Boston Stoker finding a location down the street closer to the Thurber Village area of Victorian Village,
While Boston Stoker's new interior space is actually smaller than the old location and is more bare bones than some other Columbus-area compatriots, it definitely is all coffee shop now. The coffee service area and a small legion of plank-styled chairs and tables line the back area as well as the front window area. A little bit of homeyness is provided with some scattered artwork as well as an area defined by more cushy furniture and a coffee table, topped off with area rug (for those of you into geography and/or vexillology, a nice little mental challenge can be had with the wooden carving displaying the flags of coffee importers and exporters on the wall here.)
Similarly, Boston Stoker's coffee menu is pretty straightforward well, offering all the basic espresso and pour over coffee drinks, as well a fruit smoothies and tea. Food selections are fairly straightforward but have expanded as well, with oatmeal available as well as treats from the previously mentioned Pattycake Bakery (it was fun to see their delivery bicycle pull up as I was leaving from one prior visit) as well as Olde Towne East's The Angry Baker. Various coffee brewing accessories and Boston Stoker's own branded coffee beans were also available for purchase, as well as other touches of their home base of Dayton (on my last visit, Beer Brittle from that city's longtime candy maker Esther Price was available for purchase.)
While their relocation has made visiting a touch more difficult, this hasn't stopped me from considering this my sit back and enjoy a lazy hour or so coffee place in the area. On my last visit in late February, my standard issue espresso order confirmed that these guys know how to pull a good shot. Matched up with an Angry Baker pastry, it was a perfect way to get a nice easy start to the morning and ponder the day ahead.
Boston Stoker
771 Neil Ave (Victorian Village)
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 564-9219
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