Espresso 22, located at 22 S. Liberty Street, is one of the community’s most treasured, yet hidden gems. Upon walking into the coffee shop, the atmosphere is comfortable and cozy, while also proving a great place to study and get work done. Beyond the ambience, Espresso 22 offers coffee, pastries, and specialty drinks that go beyond today’s expectations for cafes. This small business demonstrates the heart of Powell and is certainly becoming more popular among Kilbourne students.
Places like Espresso 22 are the heartbeat of a community, as they wonderfully combine the history and future of an area. Though not too old itself, Espresso 22 hints at the history of the building and is developing with time. Hali Finfrock, General Manager, shares more about the opening process and work environment of Espresso 22. “Dustin Sun, the business owner, bought Mean Bean Coffee in 2016. The name changed shortly after acquisition to Espresso 22. . . The 22 in Espresso 22 comes from the original house number, a nod to the history of the building,” Finfrock shares. When Finfrock began with Espresso 22, she had already worked in the coffee industry for more than five years, and shares that she was ready to take on more responsibility with a management position. “My immediate impression was that the baristas were fun and Dustin was a generous owner,” Finfrock adds.
Finfrock builds on the character of the baristas and owner, saying, “It sounds cliche, but the baristas and their personalities really draw people in. Everyone who is here is here because of the joy of the job. Everyone here truly cares for each other, the customers, and the business. It’s more than just a paycheck.” Going on to her personal values, Finfrock states, “I value giving support to the baristas. I think a job in a coffee shop should be as stress-free as possible. I am willing to do everything in my power to support the people working here.”
Finfrock’s values and the core of Espresso 22 are evident in the way that the coffee shop runs and how the employees care about their customers. Kilbourne Junior Julia Borchers elaborates on her experience with Espresso 22, sharing, “The service is really good and they have yet to disappoint me.” Borchers also enjoys the products, as she adds, “The treats and sandwiches they have are always fresh. I feel like some places just have the same thing over and over again but Espresso 22’s food just tastes fresh and delicious all the time. The environment sort of reminds me of a cute little boutique type feeling. . . It’s a very cozy atmosphere and the workers are all very nice.”
On the other hand, looking to the business side of things, Finfrock declares, “Between 2023 and 2024, our sales have increased by over 10% and our total transactions have increased by around 9%.” Though a small coffee shop compared to other places around the community, Espresso 22 is also growing and will continue to do so. With this growth, “we are planning on expanding our seating and storage to keep up with our current demand,” according to Finfrock.
Espresso 22, while not as popular as other places, is unique due to its cozy atmosphere, the quality of their food and drinks, and their service. Espresso 22 is definitely worth exploring for anyone who has not been.
