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If you see smoke coming out of the side of the building located at 79 Parsons Avenue, don’t call the fire department. A new coffee roastery called Upper Cup Coffee recently opened there, just two doors down from Portico (another new neighborhood coffee shop). While Portico is more of a casual cafe, Upper Cup is first and foremost a roastery, which you’ll be well aware of when the scent hits you upon entering their doors.
This small shop has a simple setup. A few chairs and tables for lounging, a small but sturdy roasting setup to the side, and a counter for ordering a variety of coffee, espresso and tea drinks. A few additional snacks are available for munching, but the food menu is extremely limited for now. Upper Cup also sells bags of roasted beans for brewing and consumption at home, and a selection of coffee-centric gift baskets are also for sale.
Micael Habte is the founder of the Upper Cup Coffee Company. His family migrated to Columbus in the 1980s from the Horn of Africa region, and he sells an Ethiopian Sidamo roast that helps to raise funds to benefit The Grace Center of Ethiopia, which assists children with educational and medical services.
“Being the first male in my family to attain a college education gave me a new sense of confidence,” Micael explains on the Grace for Ethiopia website. “It made me realize the importance of all the sacrifice my parents had made for me.”
Upper Cup’s hours are 7am to 9pm Monday through Friday and 9am to 9pm on Saturday and Sunday.
More information can be found online at www.myuppercupcoffee.com.
I stopped in here this morning for a caramel latte. Well made. Upper Cup isn’t exactly on my route to/from work but will definitely stop by from time to time for a drink. I love that they’re also roasting here, which Brioso may be the only other shop to roast in the cafe space (that I’m aware of).
Welcome to the neighborhood! :D
This is a four minute walk from my apartment. I could easily see myself relaxing here a lot. I will definitely be checking this place out soon. Thanks for posting this, Walker.
I though they were tearing all of these down though? For the highway expansion? Or is it just E.T. Paul and Carabar?
yeah me too! in clintonville on indianola also roasts in the cafe space, i believe. can’t think of any others. impero and stauffs/cup o joe are both off location.
exciting to have a local place to grab coffee when i’m in the neighborhood, always welcome!
Stephen – Only ET Paul & Carabar will be razed for the Split Fix, and that’s still a number of years down the road.
Stopped by yesterday and bought a couple half pounds to take home. Coffee there is $12 a pound, which is pricey, but wow was it ever worth it.
I stopped in this morning for coffee and bagel. Love the layout and customer service (not to mention the coffee and bagel). Very cool to meet Michael, the owner. I plan to be frequent customer. Welcome to the neighborhood, Mike!
this makes me so happy! i drive past this block every day at least 4 times. i shall now help put their kids through college.
Stopped in for a tea, was only $1.25 I think! Very nice looking place too.