Wholly Grounds | Restaurant Guru
Wholly Grounds cafe and tea shop is the perfect getaway where students can relax, enjoy a sweet treat or work on homework with the ambience of a cozy coffee shop setting.
How it started
The founder of Wholly Grounds, Amy Williams, opened the shop approximately three years ago. According to Williams, the name Wholly Grounds is a play-on-words about whole coffee beans being ground to produce the perfect cup of coffee.
The idea to open a coffee shop germinated from Williams’ sister’s recommendation. Williams also wanted to do something that had more interaction than sitting in a cubicle and looking at a computer screen all day.
“I was looking for a place where people could meet, have groups or something where they could connect,” Williams said.
As Williams hoped, there have been successful meetings and connections in the shop.
“Funny story: when we first opened, we had a couple that came on their first date. They actually just got married, and they are having a baby, and they actually met here. They actually had a little party here a few months ago,” Williams said.
Like many other small businesses that started shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, Wholly Grounds experienced difficult times, according to Williams, who ended up running the coffee shop completely alone for a period of time with limited hours.
According to Williams, the community, fortunately, supported the business and helped keep it going.
About the shop
Williams mentioned that the goal for Wholly Grounds is to be an atmosphere where people can relax. Williams also had a personal focus in mind besides coffee: tea.
“My emphasis, really, on the coffee shop was that I really wanted a good selection of teas. I love tea, I’m very passionate about it. I love coffee, too. I love tea probably just as equally or maybe even more,” Williams said.
Williams supports the arts by having local artists’ pieces hanging up in the shop for purchase and switching out the artists each month. Music is also a fundamental aspect of the establishment.
“I really try to promote the arts and artists,” Williams said. “Jazz is my specific focus, jazz and jazz music because I just feel like it’s just not represented enough.”
A Wine and Art auction took place on July 16, where people bought tickets and enjoyed wine samples; Williams hopes to do a similar event again next year.
There is a wide variety of drink and food options at Wholly Grounds, including pastries, espresso drinks, seasonal treats and teas. The shop also provides vegan food options that Williams offers in partnership with Purely Sweet Bakery, a gluten-free, vegan, paleo and keto bakery in Dayton.
Williams likes to focus on coffee from a variety of regions and organic options from corporations including Deans Beans, an organic coffee company based in Orange, Massachusetts.
According to Williams, Wholly Grounds does some in-house roasting but hopes to do more in the future.
Location and Store Hours
Wholly Grounds is located at 825 Wayne Ave. and offers pickup, delivery and dine-in services. Visit the cafe Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
