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"That's what prompted me to read," he said. "That and Levar Burton."
Dejene is combining literacy, comic books and healthy food in his new business, Nimbus Comic Cafe, 486 E. Main St. in Trotwood.
The business opened last weekend and will celebrate its grand opening from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14 and 15.
There will be a DJ.
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Nimbus’ regular hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
The business gets its name from the Flying Nimbus, a magical cloud flown on Dragon Ball.
“It is a nod to old-school (Japanese) anime,” Dejene said.
He plans to sell vintage comics at the cafe.
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Credit: Rob Dejene
Credit: Rob Dejene
A former educator who now works at a tech company, Dejene said comic books promote literacy and creativity.
“They promote future writers,” the Trotwood native said.
Nimbus Cafe features fruit smoothies, wraps and other foods named for super heroes and comic book characters.
The Groot is named for the character from “Guardians of the Galaxy” and the Jubilee is named for an X-Men superhero. Wakanda fruit punch pays tribute to the “Black Panther.”
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Dejene said his smoothies are made from fruit, not powder, and come packed with nutrition like B6; vitamin C; vitamin A; protein and potassium.
The cafe shares a building with Mysterium Coffee.
The craft roaster owned by Joel Conover opened in February and works cooperatively with Nimbus to provide coffee.
“We are both on the same vibe,” Dejene said.
Mysterium Coffee will celebrate its grand opening as well the weekend starting Sept. 13.
With the planned closure of Food Town, 830 E. Main St. in Trotwood, DeJene said there is a shortage of healthy food in the city hit heavily by the Memorial Day tornadoes. He said this makes the role of his new business even more important.
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“I am trying to promote healthy food,” Dejene said. “They are only so many options you have in this area.”
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