Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Weihe.
Hi Daniel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My wife and I have worked in specialty coffee for over a decade. We often joke that coffee is our relationship, but it’s pretty accurate. We met in a coffee shop, we worked together in a different coffee shop, and I even proposed to her in that same shop.
Over time, our shared love of coffee and people grew into a dream to one day open a coffee shop. The opportunity for Porchlight presented itself at the end of last year and Bridget and I knew it was the right time. After several months of conception, design, and hard work, Porchlight opened in April 2022!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Other than a lot of hard work and long hours, things went smoothly with the planning, construction, and finishing touches of the shop.
Our initial hires have been amazing and they have really resonated with our passion and vision for Porchlight. If there was any challenge, it was that we had a baby in January, I was finishing up at my previous job, and this was all while we were trying to put the finishing touches on the shop so it could open in April.
As you know, we’re big fans of Porchlight Coffee. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Our main goal with Porchlight was to create a welcoming space where people can gather over great food and drink.
The space is very open for a coffee shop and seats around 30 – 40 guests. We even have a conference room that can be reserved. It holds 10 – 12 people and features a whiteboard and smart tv for presentations. The walls of the shop feature a regular rotation of local art so people have the opportunity to discover and purchase from new artists. We put intentionality into both our food and drink, and know that you will find something unique and delicious.
Our coffee is sourced from One Line Coffee in Columbus and we chose them not just for the amazing coffee, but because they have direct trade relationships with the farmers. This ensures that the coffee is ethically sourced and that the farmers are being paid well. Our flavor syrups are all made in-house using quality extracts and local ingredients which gives us the ability to create really unique offerings. Our most popular drink is the Cafe’ Miel, a honey cinnamon latte made with Akron Honey Co. raw wildflower honey. Our baristas are friendly, knowledgeable, and happy to answer any coffee questions without pretentiousness.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
My hope is that people are starting to slow down and enjoy a cup of coffee again. I think we’re seeing a move toward people caring more about quality and connection than convenience.
As Porchlight grows we will continue to be an inviting space where people can sit for a while, or have a meaningful conversation even if they’re grabbing a quick drink to go.
Contact Info:
- Website: porchlightakron.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/porchlightakron
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/porchlightakron
