Coffee shops and cafes have become a part of mainstream American culture. It seems that on every corner there is an opportunity to obtain a favorite drink--lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, espressos, or even a plain old cup of java. People love their coffees, and it doesn’t look as though the craze is going away anytime soon.
There is a different kind of café on the edge of Tuscarawas and Holmes counties, right along SR 39. New Grounds Café is a special place, and it’s day-to-day operations are fueled not by a desire to make a profit, but by the special commitment of many area people who believe that the gathering place is an important way to create community.
“New Grounds started back in 2003, on Thanksgiving Day. Before that, there was a group of five or six area businessmen and pastors, who really started having a vision for the youth in the area. They were communicating and praying just over what God wanted them to do to reach out to the young people in the area. That’s kind of the real start of the café,” explained Jason Hamsher, assistant manager. “We’re a non-profit, 501(c)(3), and we’re supported by probably 15 area businesses and churches. It’s really incredible to see how God’s just pulling us together across denominational lines. It’s not that we’re just a Methodist place, or a Mennonite place, or a Baptist place. We’re really just supported by people who really care about reaching out to the youth of the area.”
The café’ is warm and inviting, from the wrap-around porch to the cozy fireplace inside. A large serving area offers all types of hot and cold drinks, along with tasty menu offerings such as calzone, pizza, and sandwiches. Stools, booths, tables, and comfortable couches provide seating, and there are large screen televisions in two of the rooms. Cavaliers and Indians’ games are popular fare for many, while others enjoy the pool, ping pong, and air hockey tables. A private dining area is also available for special events.
Brenda Patterson is the café’s manager. She emphasizes that the clientele of the establishment is varied. “It’s been a wonderful place for ages 20 to 30’s. It has been that way, but we get a lot of younger, and even older adults,” she said. “We want the word to get out that it’s not just for the kids, it’s for anybody,” interjected Patterson. “It’s not for just the 20-somethings.”
A Sunday night service is held from 8-9 p.m. “It’s a contemporary service, usually with a local youth pastor who comes and speaks for a half hour, and a local band that comes and does praise and worship. It really varies every month. We try to use a variety of speakers, too, to represent the variety of supporters that we have,” explained Hamsher.
The café is staffed by six part-time employees. Patterson and Hamsher are grateful for the additional 15 volunteers who help out each week. “They really are what helps us stay open. We can’t afford to pay everyone who deserves to be paid,” said Hamsher. “We only bring in about 50 percent of what it takes to stay open, through our food sales and our other sales. It actually takes churches, businesses, and our individual donors to write us a check each month and keep us open for the other 50 percent.”
“The most important part of our vision, I think, is to be a place to connect with other people and a place to connect people to God. So instead of just limiting that, to making people feel they have to be 20 years old to come in and get connected, we really want to see that part expand, where people are willing to come in regardless of their age. If they need God, or they need to connect with other people for some reason, we want them to all feel welcome. Or to come just for the food.”
New Grounds Café is located at 2804 SR 39, Walnut Creek. Hours are Monday from 4-midnight, Wednesday through Saturday from 4-midnight, and Sundays from 6-11 p.m. New Grounds is closed Tuesday. For more information, call 330-852-2170.
