Ratner, who owns Full City Roastery with wife Lindsay, will be the anchor tenant for the structure that they hope to be in by fall 2026.

Several weeks ago, village officials began razing the existing structure in anticipation of starting construction promptly.

Primarily housing the bank’s drive-in operations, they had to halt completion due to drive-thru’s tube and wire interworking. Inclement weather has prevented them returning to the demolition, explained village manager Antonio Dias-Guy.

Once constructed, the plaza will house Lib’s Full City Roastery and contain a reimagined outdoor community green space in the area located along Market Street and Kassuth Alley next to Meadow Lane.

An artist’s rendering of the new location at 74 N. Market St., which will house Lib’s Full City Roastery as well as feature a community outdoor green space hopefully by fall. (Submitted photo/Ben Ratner)

The Ratners will lease a 1,600-square foot space –which will include triple the seating (40 indoor and 20 outdoor) of its downtown Salem Lib’s Market location, which just celebrated its 10-year anniversary last year.

While maintain its original  microroastery and cafe operation next to Salem Community Theatre, this additional East Palestine location would have a larger footprint allowing the Ratners to increase their output as well as take advantage of a nearby community outdoor space to host special events.

“We can do three or four times the roasting,” Ratner explained, adding that would boost the opportunity to get additional distribution deals for big box stores like Meijer’s.

Residents of East Palestine and having children who attend village schools, the Ratners look forward to expanded partnerships with the East Palestine Schools’ STEM and Bulldog Cafe programs as well as enjoying significant input on this building that will house their second location.

He is most excited about being a part of his community’s economic resurgence and invites the public to also play a role in the project.

To assist with the Lib’s Full City Roastery expansion, Ratner has giving tiers set -p for donors who assist with financial contributions to this East Palestine location.

For more information, visit the website at libsmarket.com/fund-our-second-location.