Jody Cole, owner of Cole’s Cafe, takes time out from cooking orders to greet customers. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

WELLSVILLE — Cole Cafe is owned by Jody and Dallas Cole and located at 527 Main St., in the same building as the Cole’s Simply Elegant Banquet recently opened in Wellsville.

The cafe is run by Jody and her staff.

Cole said the cafe originated from the venue side of the building where they host small events for up to 100 people. She always wanted to have an event venue, so when the building came up for sale, they purchased it, and she took over the event side of the business Cole Simply Elegant Banquet Hall. They use the event hall for birthday parties, bridal showers, wedding rehearsal dinners and other small events.

They offered catering and decorating for the venue hall, but Cole said she didn’t really push the catering because she didn’t have a kitchen, but now with the cafe, she has a kitchen and can focus on catering along with the cafe.

She said the idea for the cafe came from wanting to bring something different to Wellsville that would attract different events and people, so they decided to go with a cafe that serves flights and other items that seem to be doing well in larger markets such as Cleveland. Cole wants to offer something different to bring people in.

Cole and her husband Dallas own Alcatraz Tattoos in Calcutta and they were thinking about going with a cafe and made up a menu and ran with the idea from that.

“We have our business in Calcutta, and we live in Calcutta. Dallas and I do a lot for the community, and we feel the same about Wellsville,” Cole said. “We have a business there. We didn’t grow up in Wellsville, but now we have a business there so we feel it’s very important that we take pride in Wellsville also and do what we can.”

The couple has been setting up photo booths in the venue side to give students from Wellsville and East Liverpool a place to come for the Winter Homecoming. The students can come in with their families, enjoy hot chocolate and have a place out of the cold to take photos at no charge.

The venue side also hosts Braveheart, an organization for first responders to discuss trauma-based issues in a quiet private setting.

Cole, who is a member of the Wellsville Chamber of Commerce, said she is trying to find something different that will bring in people from other communities.

The cafe offers flights, coffees, fresh homemade baked goods, brunch and healthy menu items. They offer specials on the weekend and a special milkshake flavor of the month. The flights can be flights of coffee, milkshakes, desserts or anything else on the menu. The food is all made fresh to order. They also offer free delivery in the local general area. She has delivered to East Liverpool and Calcutta as well as Wellsville. Delivery and pick up orders can be placed by calling 330-362-0023

Catering is now available from the event center or the cafe.

First responders, such a police officers, firefighters, EMTS from anywhere will get their coffee free from the cafe.

Sadie Burt, who is the general manager, loves to bake and does all the baked goods for the cafe.

“I generally care what’s coming out of the kitchen food-wise and how our customers are being treated and making sure they are happy, and if not, we will make it better,” Cole said.

Wi-Fi is available for customers at the cafe and customers are encouraged to come in and enjoy a meal and coffee and get some work done.

The cafe is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the weekends.

Cole said she did apply for a liquor license for the cafe and is waiting to hear back on that.

If the cafe is approved for a liquor license, they will offer adult beverages during the day such as a bloody Mary or mimosa to go with the brunch items and then the cafe will open Thursday through Saturday for people to come in and have drinks.

“It’s not going to be a bar atmosphere. I have been a bartender for many years, but I just want something where everyone can come in and have a couple of nice drinks and relax,” Cole said. “I’m not going to be serving food during that time. If we get our liquor license, it will be charcuterie boards with cheese and crackers and things while they are having their drinks.”

Cole said she is thinking about the hours of 5 p.m. through midnight for evening drinks.

This would all be pending the cafe getting the liquor license which could take 10 to 12 weeks.

Cole said that the cafe has only been open for two weeks but they have been blessed by staying constantly busy and having people who are really supportive.