The wait is nearly over for Bay Village coffee lovers. Trust Coffee, an all-day cafe from Thyme Table owner Mike Smith, is set to open Monday, Feb. 10. The attractive shop resides in the former Java Bay Coffee space at the Bay Village Square Shopping Center.
Trust Coffee is the culmination of years of planning, setbacks and persistence. In the end, the owners found the ideal property for their project. In addition to the former Java Bay spot, the Smiths were able to annex an adjacent storefront long home to Andy’s Shoe Repair, which doubled the space. And thanks to the history of that property, the Smiths were able to secure a liquor license for Trust.
Opening bright and early, Trust Coffee will feature brews from Ohio City’s duck-rabbit, as well as some specialty coffee roasters from around the country. Thyme pastry chef Laura Jerina will prepare a selection of scones, cookies and muffins for a light breakfast. At midday, the café will transition to lunchtime fare, with salads, sandwiches and other items. Come happy hour, Trust will offer beer, wine and cocktails alongside café-style foods and desserts. The beverage program is being formulated by Eric Scott, partner and chief mixologist at Thyme.
The owners worked with Lakewood-based AoDK Architecture to create a charming interior that Tess Smith describes as “a feminine twist on Thyme Table.”
To start, the plan is to close around 9 p.m. but given the way things are developing in the neighborhood, those plans could shift.
“With Deagan spots opening on either side of us, that traffic might push things later,” says Mike. “It's been a lot of fun to see cool new things happening in Bay; it's a ‘rising tides raise all boats’ sort of thing.”
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