The Winans brand is spreading throughout Columbus. Three more locations of the Dayton-based chocolate and coffee shop are set to open next year. Monica Thomas, owner of Winans in German Village, is opening a second franchise Downtown at the Highpoint on Columbus Commons in early spring.
Thomas said Joe Reiser, Corporate Owner for over 20 years, put a lot into building the brand. Established in 1961 by Reiser’s father-in-law, Winans originally only sold chocolates. After ownership changed, Reiser decided to offer fresh-roasted coffee. Nine years later, in 2003, he started roasting his own. Wine was added later, completing the perfect trio of comfort.
While wine won’t be new to the Winans, it’ll be new for the shops in Columbus. The German Village location is sticking to chocolate and coffee, but the Downtown location will have a wine selection and some accompanying treats.
“I think what’ll be perfect is if you’re on your way to a dinner party, you can grab a box of chocolate and a bottle of wine. Or if you have gone to dinner and want to have dessert, you can stop over at Winans for chocolates and a glass of wine,” Thomas said.
She hopes this will allow Winans to easily transition from a stop for day shoppers into an evening spot to wine down. To accompany the wine they’ll have chocolate pairings as well as cheese plates for the crazy people who don’t want chocolate.
Along with a bigger menu, the Downtown location will be twice the size of the one in German Village, seating over 65 people and offering expanded patio seating. Thomas said the Downtown site will be the company’s flagship location for Columbus, and she expects the other franchises to have the same look, menu and service style.
Right now, though, the new digs are still awaiting approval from the city. Thomas is in the process of getting permits and a certificate of appropriateness.
For more information, visit www.winanscolumbus.com.