Dayton’s Wayne Avenue is turning into a coffee trail

Something’s brewing in Dayton.

There is a growing coffee district of sorts in and around downtown Dayton and the Oregon District, South Park and St. Anne’s Hill neighborhoods.

Wayne Avenue is on track to become a veritable coffee trail. And it's a short drive from those coffee shops some other recent entrants to the local java scene, including the Gem City Catfé and St. Anne The Tart.

Here’s a look at what’s percolating on Dayton’s coffee trail:

Reza's Roast — COMING SOON

Reza's Roast is a local roastery that up until now has specialized in wholesale sales of coffees and beans. Coming this spring is Reza's first retail coffee shop to be located at 438 Wayne Ave. in Dayton, next to Oregon Tails Pet Salon.

“Reza’s Downtown” is slated to open “probably at the end of April or beginning of May,” said Audria Maki, its founder.

The coffee and tea menu  will include a “Golden Latte,” an intriguing blend of steamed macadamia-nut milk, turmeric, pink peppercorns, ginger, allspice, lemongrass and black pepper.

Reza’s downtown will serve ice cream and a food menu of pastries and savory items, borrowing from her own Italian family heritage and that of her husband, whose family came to the U.S. from Iran more than two decades ago. The final menu is still in the works.

>> Reza’s Roast gears up to open Wayne Avenue coffee shop

☕ Wholly Grounds

Wholly Grounds, 825 Wayne Ave., opened in late 2018 and offers coffees, teas and baked goods such as coffee cakes and muffins.

Lunch items such as soups and wraps are on the horizon. A sound system has been installed, and live jazz music are also part of the plans for Wholly Grounds, co-founders Amy Williams and  husband Robert Boyd have said.

Wholly Grounds occupies the former home of the Lindy & Company pet treats bakery.

>> Wayne Avenue’s newest coffee shop now open

Credit: Allegra Czerwinski

Credit: Allegra Czerwinski

☕Press Coffee

Press Coffee Bar set the local coffee scene ablaze when Brett and Janelle Barker opened in 2011 at 257 Wayne Ave. in Dayton’s Oregon District.

The shop has received local and national attention for its superb coffees. Press serves four to seven types of single-origin coffees.

In an article posted last spring entitled “The Best Coffee in Every State,” Food & Wine identified Press as its choice for best coffee in the state, ahead of runners-up mentioned from the Cleveland, Cincinnati and Youngstown areas.

>> Dayton coffee shop named ‘Best in Ohio’ by Food & Wine magazine

>> Daytonians of the Week: Brett and Janelle Barker

Press offers a full espresso bar, brewed coffee, tea, soda and locally-made pastries and a simple atmosphere. It roasts coffee under the name "Wood Burl Coffee," which is available online, at woodburlcoffee.com.

Press just opened a second location in Belmont in February.

>> Press Coffee Bar’s second location is now open

☕Ghostlight Coffee

Ghostlight Coffee, located at 1201 Wayne Ave. in Dayton’s South Park neighborhood, opened in 2011.

Shane Anderson says the community has wholeheartedly embraced what he and his staff are working to do in bringing new flavor profiles and options to coffee cups across the Dayton community.

>> Daytonians of the Week: Shane Anderson and Lezley Pison of Ghostlight Coffee

“What I thought would be the South Park neighborhood coffeehouse quickly turned into a great gathering place for the whole city. I am so grateful to the people of this city for their continued support of our shop,” he said.

There’s always something brewing at Ghostlight it seems — figuratively and literally. The coffee shop continues to expand its breakfast offerings and has launched a coffee mobile truck that serves coffee, tea, iced coffee and an assortment of cookies, muffins and other baked goods from Ghostlight’s bakery. Ghostlight offers catering services as well.

>> Best of Dayton 2018: Best coffeehouse

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