It is no secret how much the last few years have had on local small businesses. This especially hit hard in the Restaurant, Bar, Brewery, Winery, and Coffee Shop sectors of our community. This led directly to the creation of Stark Flavor. Stark Flavor is a digital marketing concept that is an innovative way of supporting local small businesses starting in the food and beverage industry. One of the digital passports we run yearly is the Stark County Coffee Crawl. This features various local small business coffee shops in a fun experience where customers can go to each shop and check in on the mobile version of our website. After completing this passport, they receive free rewards as a thank you for supporting our local small business owners.

Before the pandemic and long before any Stark Flavor idea was hatched, I will admit I knew of a few local places and I did stop in and support them from time to time, however, I still often found myself heading for that normal national pink donut brand on most mornings. As Ohio moved out of the quarantine period in the late spring of 2020 and small businesses began to reopen under strict rules, I made the decision that I was going to be sure to support a locally owned small business whenever I could. Making this decision as it came to getting my morning (or sometimes afternoon) cup of coffee just drove the importance of this idea home even more. 

Over the years since making the decision to go all in on supporting local, there is one lesson that I have learned the most. The best thing about supporting a locally owned business is the people that you have the chance to get to know. I have had the opportunity to meet so many incredible small business owners and more importantly gotten to learn about the stories behind their brands. When you get to know a small business owner it does not take long for you to see the passion and love they have for their craft and how it goes into their product. This is especially true for our local Coffee Shop scene! As I said earlier, I knew of a few of these local gems, but I had no idea how many fantastic espresso-filled locations we have within a short driving distance of where I live in Canton! If you are interested in checking out some of these amazing local Java-inspired hotspots, I encourage you to visit as many of these places as possible! I can promise that you will not be disappointed! 

<<<COFFEE SHOP LISTINGS>>>

215 Market Ave N

Canton, Oh. 44702

Carpe Diem Coffee Shop has been a staple of Downtown Canton since 2003. Since their inception owners Cathy and Patrick Wyatt have made hundreds of friends and served thousands and thousands of cups of delicious coffee. Carpe Diem is a warm, comfortable, friendly space to enjoy coffee with friends, grab a quick snack, or simply as a place to unwind and catch up on a good book or magazine by yourself. Carpe Diem Coffee Shop gives you the opportunity to seize your coffee before you head out to seize your day!

932 West Maple St. 

Hartville, Oh. 44632 

Front Porch Café is a coffee shop serving handcrafted direct-trade coffee and espresso-based drinks while offering a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner options, baked goods, and house made ice cream. Front Porch Café offers a one-of-a-kind cozy atmosphere and even features an outside patio to be enjoyed on a beautiful sunny day.

135 Walnut Ave NE.                          5852 Fulton Dr. NW             3452 Manchester Rd

Canton Oh. 44702                          Canton, Oh. 44718               Akron, Oh. 44319

Muggswigz offers a variety of estate and co-op coffees as well as a few select and specialized blends in their three locations in Stark and Summit counties. They were voted one of the top 10 best Coffeehouses in America by USA Today. Muggswigz also offers some of the highest quality teas available and maintains relationships with farmers to offer a line of direct trade teas. Muggswigs offers a selection of tea and herb blends they have created to best expand and complement the tea flavors. Muggswigz also offers a selection of both coffee and tea related supplies and equipment that they endorse. 

1160 South Main St

North Canton, OH 44720

Shale Brewing Company was famous for being one of the staple local craft beer breweries in Stark County! After mastering the Craft Beer market Shale decided to expand their portfolio into the coffee world. Shale Craft Coffee located in North Canton is #craftdefined, but what does that mean? It is taking pride in what they do by doing it hand, with care, and making the product perfect. Shale accomplishes this by selecting quality coffee from an Ohio roaster who feels the same way they do about taking pride in doing things the right way. If you were a fan of Shale’s craft beer just wait until you try their Craft Coffee.

128 N Canal St 

Canal Fulton, Oh. 44614

Speak Easy Coffee has a few simple beliefs- They believe in excellent coffee- They believe in excellent conversation- Lastly, they believe in Canal Fulton. The Speak Easy is a peaceful coffeeshop in in beautiful and historic Canal Fulton. Check out the Speak Easy for great coffee, tea, specialty drinks, or pastries along with a great atmosphere for both working and friendly conversation. 

1700 55th St NE. 

Canton, Oh. 44721

The Still House is located at the gorgeous Gervasi Vineyard! A café by day and cocktail lounge by night. During the day, enjoy the Still House’s signature Gervasi Café Coffee with pastries and snacks in a social and connected space. At night, the Still House rolls out their signature spirits, cocktails, draft beers, wine and live music. No matter your style the Still House is a fun and engaging “Village Chapel” location designed for everyone. 

117 East Main St 

Louisville, Oh. 44641

Uptown Joe is located in the heart of Downtown Louisville directly across from Umbrella Alley. It was founded in 2014 and continues to be a small family run business. Uptown Joe is the place for the community to gather and enjoy great coffee and great friends while offering custom drinks (including smoothies and boba) and more! While you are visiting Uptown Joe be sure grab one of their out of this world sandwiches. We promise you will not be disappointed! If you are up for a fun local trip head out to Louisville, check out Umbrella Alley and grab an amazing drink and sandwich from Uptown Joe!

504 15th St. NW.

Canton, Oh. 44703

Walkie Talkie Espresso & Coffee is serving coffee with heart. Walkie Talkie is a neighborhood coffee shop in a repurposed service station that exclusively serves coffee from the revered Portland, Oregon roastery Heart Roasters. Their menu includes numerous brand-centric takes on classic espresso- based offerings and more experimental items. While Walkie Talkie Espresso & Coffee offers the highest quality coffee and amazing drinks, the focus always comes down to every interaction they have with their customers. Whether you are from near or far, Walkie Talkie Espresso & Coffee wants you to feel like a neighbor instead of a stranger. 

1308 S Main St

North Canton, OH 44720

Whole Latte Love Cafe is similar to other coffee/smoothie shops ~ it has the aroma of coffee brewing, the glass cases are filled with pastries, muffins & bagels and one can observe folks enjoying casual conversations. Yet the atmosphere inside Whole Latte Love Cafe exists to provide a path towards greater independence with on-the-job training experiences for persons with disabilities (PWD), and create options for individuals who wish to work and lead more productive lives.