The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Read about a Huron coffee house that hopes to inspire change.
Owner of Gathering Grounds Coffee House wants shop to serve as place to inspire change
In the heart of downtown Huron on the banks of Lake Erie, Gathering Grounds Coffee House is serving up more than just flavored beverages.
Founded in 2014 by Lea Wechter, the lakeside business aims to be a center for community life.
“I knew I wanted to do something I loved,” she said. “And I was stopping at a coffee shop every day before work for a cup of coffee and I just loved it.”
At the time Wechter already had a business based in Huron and she said driving around Huron she couldn’t get the cup of coffee she desired, so taking matters into her own hands, Gathering Grounds was born.
Gathering Grounds serves hot and frozen espresso drinks, gourmet teas, smoothies, and locally made pastry.
Partnering with Columbus-based roaster Crimson Cup, Gathering Grounds offers pastries from area businesses such as Lorain’s Kiedrowski’s Bakery and Bake Erie.
Located at 404 Main St., Gathering Grounds has seating for 40 and revisits the traditional role of the local coffee house in inspiring change and community collaboration.
“I just like community and small spaces. That’s where change happens. I just like seeing people in there,” Wechter said.
From business meetings to people studying and community organizing and friends gathering, it’s about bringing the community closer together, she said.
Despite some recent challenges due to novel coronavirus forcing them to alter their in-store operations, Wechter said she is looking forward to welcoming patrons back.
Since 2018 Gathering Grounds has offered weekly pop-up shops to other Huron businesses bringing out opportunities to highlight their products and services in a comfortable atmosphere.
With a growing presence on social media through Facebook and Instagram, Gathering Grounds is able to build its lakeside identity and brand and the people and products behind the City of Huron’s business community.
Every Saturday a different local business sets up shop, adding something new, and Wechter says she was happy to be able to be a part of the solution in helping grow and harness local business.
“I saw these small businesses that didn’t know how to sell their products and it just felt right,” she added.
And Wechter was always looking for ways to expand her base and get new and different people coming through the coffee shop.
Small businesses and Gathering Grounds are helping each other in both
directions in providing exposure and a place to set up.
Working with Crimson Cup, they support coffee shops in their network through the whole process of starting a business and helping it thrive through the consulting and support provided.
Wechter learned how to open a coffee shop through Crimson Cup’s Seven Steps to Success coffee franchise
alternative program where Crimson acts as a consultant and supplier for their business.
“They’re just a really great company and they do a lot of things on giving back,” she said. “They really care about their farmers, which is really important to me.”
Crimson Cup was named as roaster of the year in 2016.
“I just like community and small spaces. That’s where change happens. I just like seeing people in there.”
— Gathering Grounds Coffee House owner Lea Wechter