Project Unboxed: Interview with Relax It's Just Coffee and Blackbird Bakery
Coffee shops have always been a comfort for me. I have memories of going to German Village in Columbus with my Mom and we would always stop in at Cup of Joe's before heading to the quirky bookshop next store. Walking through the doors of the coffee shop your nose was welcomed by Aromatic aromas of foreign coffee beans and once through the doors you entered into a world of eclectic music, cozy couches, and a collection of people... Readers. Professors. First-Daters. College students. Mom clubs. Knitters. Executives. Artists. To a nine-year-old... this was impressive!
I had the opportunity to interview Paul, the owner of Relax It's Just Coffee, and Desra, the owner of Blackbird Bakery. We settled in front of the picture window overlooking nostalgic Main Street in downtown Mansfield, Ohio. With the historic brick buildings and cobblestone parking lot across the street while sipping a latte, I was taken right back to those memories with my Mom.
As my conversation unfolded with Paul and Desra, I discovered that these are two remarkable people with a genuine passion for what they do. Paul started the coffee shop out of a need for a job and a desire to fulfill his passion for coffee and people. As Paul remarked,
"I set out to create Mansfield's living room."
And that he did, with his downtown location and supporting local events such as book clubs, music concerts, and church groups, etc. his coffee shop evolved into a place where community can connect, while having a great cup of coffee. Paul serves the top 3% in quality in coffee beans that are available in the world at the time he receives them. Because his beans are top quality, the consumer does not need to use as much grounds when brewing at home, making it a cost-effective purchase. Paul's favorite aspect about his shop is the relationships he's developed with his customers. A few years into the business he realized that there was a need for baked goods in his cafe and along came Desra...
I had the opportunity to interview Paul, the owner of Relax It's Just Coffee, and Desra, the owner of Blackbird Bakery. We settled in front of the picture window overlooking nostalgic Main Street in downtown Mansfield, Ohio. With the historic brick buildings and cobblestone parking lot across the street while sipping a latte, I was taken right back to those memories with my Mom.
As my conversation unfolded with Paul and Desra, I discovered that these are two remarkable people with a genuine passion for what they do. Paul started the coffee shop out of a need for a job and a desire to fulfill his passion for coffee and people. As Paul remarked,
"I set out to create Mansfield's living room."
And that he did, with his downtown location and supporting local events such as book clubs, music concerts, and church groups, etc. his coffee shop evolved into a place where community can connect, while having a great cup of coffee. Paul serves the top 3% in quality in coffee beans that are available in the world at the time he receives them. Because his beans are top quality, the consumer does not need to use as much grounds when brewing at home, making it a cost-effective purchase. Paul's favorite aspect about his shop is the relationships he's developed with his customers. A few years into the business he realized that there was a need for baked goods in his cafe and along came Desra...
Desra started baking in her home and found the hobby to be very therapeutic. After working in the restaurant/ bakery industry for some years she realized that baking was a passion she needed to pursue and Blackbird Bakery was born. She first began her operation out of her home building her business on foot and fulfilling orders as they came in. An old high-school friend who did a lot of work in the downtown Mansfield area told Desra she needed to get in touch with Paul. Desra showed up in the coffee shop one day and that was all she wrote. After a while Paul hounded Desra to move her shop into the cafe and they now have a coffee bar where you can drink your cup of coffee while watching the bakers make their delectable treats. Desra prides herself in baking made-from-scratch goodies from her decadent chocolate cake, cookies, scones, and my personal favorite, the classic cheese danish.
As of right now there is no talk for second or third operations. All though they've had many offers from other communities ask for them to set up shop, for now they plan on continuing to improve their business practices while serving the Mansfield area.
Check out the video interview below!
If you happen be in the Mansfield area be sure to check out this cozy cafe for a North Main Latte and cheese danish. They are located in the Carousal District on North Main Street. Their hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, 7 am to 7 pm and Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm. Be sure to tell them Nicole sent you!
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