Sometimes what makes a place haptic is nostalgia. It’s the intangibles. Those things you can’t quite put your finger on. If you’re like me, and hard of hearing, those intangibles get amplified. So, I couldn’t wait to get back to one of my old haunts in the Short North when I heard it was reopening after a four-year COVID imposed hiatus.

You always tend to see the past through rose colored glasses, especially when it’s a positive memory. So, when I walked into Mission Coffee through that garage door I’ve oh-so-missed on Price Avenue, my first impression was “it’s not the same!”

Hold up.

Let’s not get too carried away by nostalgia. I was greeted promptly by owner Matt Roberson, who happily obliged to provide a decaf alternative to their drip oofffe by brewing an Americano. It was very smooth! No cream nor sugar needed (even though this is standard for Yours Truly – I can be a basic bro when it comes to my coffee).

One of the things that stood out to me about the environment is how the grungy feel of the Southside location in The Fort was replicated. In the Short North- a district where things have shifted towards being more and more polished and manufactured, to have a beloved establishment return with a more rough around the edges feeling than it had before is noteworthy. The stage area has a couch and some music gear seemingly indicating remnants of a practice space. Some fairly intricate woodworking decorates the wall underneath the cashier’s station, but it seems to be purposely left a bit unpolished. The bar area has a feeling that’s vaguely steampunk-ish.

One of the things about this cafe that makes it stand out from others is that you are just enough removed from the hustle and bustle of High Street that you can enjoy the ambience without some of the pitfalls of being on the main drag. If you’re here to work, read or have a conversation with friends, you get to enjoy the city ambience without it being a distraction. It was super chill being able to sit there and work on my music blog (check out Tuned Up by the way) whilst my wife worked on embroidery across from me. The cafe was largely empty due to the Ohio State football game going on, but I didn’t feel isolated (see: the open garage door and the aforementioned proximity to High Street).

As an added bonus, plenty of street parking in nearby Victorian Village on Price Avenue exists for a light fee (you have to download an annoying app, but I paid $1.85 for an hour and a half of parking on a Saturday – not bad!). Plus, if you wish you can fantasize about someday living in the charming neighborhood on that street and admire the little garden enclave.

Featured image alt text: A view of the front bar area. The owner prepares a drink and a patron sits at the bar.