Yemeni chain opens Ohio’s ‘biggest coffeehouse’ near Columbus
LEWIS CENTER, Ohio (WCMH) — A shop boasted as the state’s “biggest coffeehouse,” home to beans sourced from Yemen and a brew recipe dating back 500 years, has opened in central Ohio.
Named Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co., the Michigan-based brand is now welcoming patrons to the new shop at 8911 S. Old State Road in Lewis Center, near Polaris Fashion Place. The new location opened in March and marks the brand’s second central Ohio shop after the first opened last year in Hilliard at 3221 Hilliard Rome Road.
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Qamaria says its traditional coffee is brewed using “the world’s first coffee recipe,” given historians say monks in 14th-century Yemen were the first to cultivate coffee and brew the beverage the way coffee is known today. The brand also sources from farmers in Yemen who process the beans using century-old drying methods.
“We are proud to source conflict-free Yemeni coffee. We work with farmers who have continued their prideful harvest of coffee beans despite the difficult circumstances,” the company states on its site, referring to Yemen’s civil war raging since 2014. “Once successfully transported, we carefully profile our beans to craft complimentary roast that pays homage to its Yemeni roots.”
The shop is one of several new coffeehouses to open in Delaware County, including Coastline Coffee Company now brewing in a historic market building dating to 1883. Operated by mother and daughter Kym and Elizabeth Hampton, the building has served several tenants throughout the past 141 years, including a convenience store and an ice cream shop.
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National coffeehouse Caribou Coffee also opened a new central Ohio shop in Delaware, as part of the company’s plan to launch 60 locations across Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati. The new coffeehouse will be the third operated by franchisee Mike Mariola Restaurants, who announced an agreement with Caribou in 2021 to open 60 shops in Ohio.
Along with cappuccinos, lattes and other hot and iced coffees, Qamaria is home to Yemeni teas and a selection of pastries. The Lewis Center shop has been open from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. to accommodate for Ramadan, and will soon be announcing new hours since the Islamic holiday has ended.
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