By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — The River Coffeehouse just keeps flowing into uncharted areas.
On Tuesday, the Parkview Warsaw YMCA held its much-anticipated groundbreaking ceremony for its future innovative Play Cafe — a workspace and childcare center — and then announced that The River Coffeehouse will operate a coffee shop to serve its clientele.
The new coffee shop is not exactly huge news until you realize it marks the local company’s second opening this year as the business expanded into the former Light Rail cafe in Winona Lake, which came one year it entered the Warsaw market in a cozy storefront southeast corner of the Kosciuso county courthouse (before moving across the street to a more spacious location).
For those keeping count, this week’s announcement marks three new locales in two years after the family-owned business built a reputation for several years with its home base in North Webster.
Owner Amanda Meerzo admits the growth spurt has likely peaked, at least for now.
“This is it for a while,” Meerzo said with a laugh while reflecting on the rapid growth.
She said she never envisioned such quick growth but listed the reasons that have paved that path.
“Quality drinks, good service, good locations and opportunities,” she said.
She said she was excited about the new opportunity the YMCA presents.
Meerzo said the future store will offer protein drinks, smoothies, and snack items that fit well with the Y.
The coffee shop will be near the Play Cafe, but Ben Keffer, director of marketing and fund development, said they think it will serve more than just parents who take advantage of the future workspace and child care service.
He expects the store will appeal to those who arrive for an early morning workout, Grace College students, and others.
Keffer said they looked at various options before settling on The River.
“They’re growing like crazy and just doing such a great job, and we’re excited that it got to be someone local,” Keffer said.
Construction on the Play Cafe and coffee shop recently began and should be complete this fall, Keffer said.
The Play Cafe has funding support from several entities and is considered a unique arrangement that will help offset what is widely considered to be a crisis in childcare affordability.
Here is a link to a previous story that looked at the details of the plan.
