Evolution of a Mission: Mission Coffee

When Mission Coffee opened up in October of 2012 in the Short North, they had joined a coffee scene whose quality and general public awareness was under the radar to most folks outside the immediate area. Things have changed immensely since that debut for Mission and the Columbus coffee scene, however. Slowly but surely, the quality of the Columbus coffee scene has received notice on a national scale, as exampled by this March 2018 article by USA Today

Add in an appealing incentive in the Columbus Coffee Experience, a coffee trail featuring some of the best area coffee purveyors, as well as by an influx of new roasters such as Florin, Ramble and Bacca joining established members like Thunderkiss, Stauf's and Crimson Cup in creating a wealth of beans for the local consumer to sample, and you have the definition of a burgeoning scene. In its own right, Mission has tapped into this momentum to become one of the city's best coffee experiences.

Interestingly enough, San Francisco was what I thought of when I first heard of Mission Coffee. Not only is Mission the name of a prominent neighborhood in my old stomping grounds, but its small, slightly off the main strip garage space on Price Avenue immediately reminded me of something you might find in my former home. Even the owners themselves acknowledged this; according to interview in Columbus Underground, part of their space's appeal was that hint of San Francisco.

This San Francisco feel certainly was accentuated when I dropped by to pick up a bag of Four Barrel Coffee, one of my favorite coffee roasters from back in the Bay Area.  Back in the early days, Mission Coffee exclusively featured the best coffee beans from roasters around the country. San Francisco vibes aside, the space is very appealing in general: during my visits, there always seem to be numerous people camped out inside knocking out some work on their computer with a cup of Mission Coffee's wares keeping them company.

Mission's evolution had them joining the ever growing local coffee roasting fraternity in 2015, when the cafe acquired additional space in Italian Village. This space not only houses their roasting facilities, but also contains their educational space for their classes in all things coffee. Even though their own beans are now the cafe's main feature, Mission still rotates in beans from some of the best roasters around the country from time to time.

Mission might seem at first glance a place where you could get a snobbish attitude from those behind the counter, but I have never experienced any of that during my visits. And while they do a lovely cold brew and other basic constructs like lattes and cortados, the combo of cozy, quiet atmosphere and overall quality has made this one of my few places where I'll order a shot or two of espresso, find a spot to nestle down, and sip slowly on this golden elixir.  It has been a lovely way to turn off my mind to the world at large, if just for a few precious moments.

Mission Coffee Co.
11 Price Avenue (Short North - Google Maps)
Columbus, OH 43201
(614) 300-0648
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