Fairfield Twp. coffee shop owner: Business in danger of closing

Coffee Cup Overflowing isn’t just a coffee shop on Winford Avenue, as dozens of people and community groups rely on its value as a communal space.

But it’s in danger of closing, said owner Angie Payne, and not following through on its goal of donating proceeds to the Shepherd’s Crook, a nonprofit ministry for orphans with special needs.

“In comparison to the year before, we’ve averaged a 40 percent increase month over month, so we’ve done better and we’re on an incline,” said Payne. “But the expenses here that we haven’t gotten to the point to where we’re breaking even. We’re continuing to having to put our own money into it just to keep it.”

Payne, with the support of her husband Kyle, opened Coffee Cup Overflowing at 6544 Winford Ave. three years ago this February. Saving the shop hasn’t been without effort.

In addition to all the grassroots marketing efforts — from distributing coupons in neighborhoods to giving coffee sleeves to area churches that provide coffee before and after services — Payne has opened up her shop to any and all groups and organizations as a place to meet, fellowship and bond.

“We realize we’re a coffee shop and so much more,” Payne said. “We’re a place where friends and family meet, and people hold fundraisers. We’re a home away from home.”

A patron and friend started a GoFundMe account to help the coffee shop “biznistry.” It’s helped with making the bills, Payne said, but cuts have been made, such as certain specialty coffees not being replenished and building improvements postponed.

“I feel like it’s such an instrumental place here in our township,” said Michelle Duffy, of Fairfield Twp. “We do not have any local coffee shops that kind of bring our community together. And I feel like that’s very important and I also feel like there’s such as faith-based community and she’s bringing people in that may need something in their lives. It’s more than just coffee here. It’s friendship, it’s a ministry in Christ.”

Credit: Michael D. Pitman

For the past year, the bi-weekly Lego Club meets at Coffee Cup Overflowing where children ages 3-13 can interact and learn through Legos, and parents can bond.

“The generosity for the space, for the community is impactful because most of the children are home-schooled,” said Angie Dicken, the Fairfield Twp. mother who founded the club two years ago. “There’s not another space like it in the township at all.”

And without the space, it would be hosted at Dicken’s home and without the public setting there wouldn’t be the ability to grow the club. There are about five core families and 20 children that regularly attend, but there are a handful of other families that attend. As many as 30 to 40 children could participate on busy days, Dicken said.

“It just would not happen outside this space,” she said.

There’s also the weekly ladies Bunco night where a couple dozen women can be found playing and a couple of Bible study groups that use the space.

Lauren Thorpe is a member of the Hooked on God crochet ministry and said they exist because Coffee Cup Overflowing is around to support them. They make tiny yarn crosses that are available for free, at the shop and various events and non-profit groups.

“We’ve been struggling to keep it in stock since it started a little over a year and a half ago,” she said, adding that 60 yarn crosses are distributed each month at the coffee shop.

Thorpe has also organized the annual cookie decorating party at the coffee shop where people decorate home-made cookies for area first responders.

“This coffee shop is one of the biggest blessings I have found,” said Thorpe. “There are so many different stories I have heard and have been privy too about how this shop is making a difference in people’s lives. You can say it’s a rescue or refuge. When you come in you can feel the Holy Spirit. It’s a just a comforting environment, it’s atmosphere. The people are welcoming, they’re accepting.”

If Payne is forced to close, she can take solace in “all the lives impacted” because of the shop, but would “feel like there’s more we could have done” to help people.

“If it was just me and my family, I’d be okay with it, but with other lives affected by it would make me sad that we no longer would provide that for them,” she said.

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About the Author

Michael D. Pitman

Michael D. Pitman has been a reporter in southwest Ohio since 1999. He's covered local governments in Warren and Butler counties, as well as state and national issues. He currently covers the cities of Fairfield and Hamilton.