Roosevelt Coffeehouse will take up the space directly beneath the mural featured on the middle segment of the Gravity building. Photo by Taijuan Moorman.

Roosevelt Coffeehouse is doubling its impact.

The Gravity development in Franklinton will house the second location of the local social enterprise. They’re one of three tenants announced today, along with Pelotonia, which is moving its headquarters there, and Cova Cowork.

Roosevelt Coffeehouse will have an 1,800-square-foot space on the first floor of the middle segment of the building, which features a large mural. Roughly the same size as their existing coffeehouse on Long Street, it’ll also retain much of the same aesthetic, featuring a coffee bar where patrons can sit, along with four- and two-tops made of reclaimed wood from bowling alleys. The open space will have a lot of windows along with a garage door that’ll open out onto a patio.

Roosevelt Coffeehouse Founder Kenny Sipes says his relationship with Kaufman Development, the developer behind Gravity, started back in 2014, before the first Roosevelt even opened. During those initial conversations, Sipes and Kaufman tossed around the idea of opening up a shop then, “but we hadn’t even opened up this one yet,” Sipes said.

Still, they maintained a relationship over the next few years, and when Kaufman was deciding between three local and national coffeehouses to enter the Gravity development, they ultimately landed on Roosevelt.

“It made sense for them to engage with who we were. Philanthropy is our thing, social impact is our desire,” says Sipes. “We hoped to be in Franklinton and cause some super local impact, which was high on our list.”

Sipes’ philanthropic efforts in Franklinton started with the donation he made to Sanctuary Night, an organization that provides housing, food, hygiene products, and clothes for sex workers living in the neighborhood. In two weeks of selling off $99 “launch boxes,” packed with t-shirts, coffee mugs, magnets, pins, and a three-month supply of coffee, they funneled those proceeds to Sanctuary Night. As a result, the organization was able to create 600 sanitary bags, which contained items like soap, lotion, sun screen, shower wipes, ramen noodles and granola bars.

Once Roosevelt Coffeehouse establishes a second location, Sipes hopes to literally double down on the nonprofit’s efforts to tackle issues like human trafficking, clean water, and hunger. At the original shop on Long Street, they’ve been able to give between $25,000 – $30,000 per year to 11 local and international beneficiaries. Sipes’ goal is to have each shop, including the one in partnership with Olentangy River Brewing Co., work independently to fund specific projects.

“I think the goal is that if this shop [on Long Street] is focusing on a boat rental for sex trafficking rescue in Nepal, the other shop won’t be at the same time,” he says. “They’ll have some independence in their efforts.”

“We’re creating a community built around well-being, expression and impact, and these partners share our values,” said Brett Kaufman in a press release. “We’re also committed to providing a well-rounded experience for everyone who lives, works and plays at Gravity, and we couldn’t be happier about this inaugural group of collaborators. Pelotonia and Roosevelt are both redefining what impact for the greater good can be, and Cova is using thoughtful creative expression to uplift entrepreneurs. We’re humbled and excited that they’re all in with us.”

Cova Cowork, currently operating the Bottoms Up Coffee Co-Op, will take up a second location at the Gravity development. At 7,100 square feet, the space will offer onsite childcare, flex seating, private offices, and meeting rooms.

Pelotonia’s headquarters will take up roughly 4,500 square feet, double its current space. Their offices will provide additional work space, conference rooms, a retail space for Pelotonia gear, and enough room inside and outside to host large events for the Pelotonia community.

“Located in such a vibrant and energetic part of the city, we are eager to be a part of Kaufman’s vision of bringing together creative people and organizations in order to fuel new ideas to impact the world,” says Doug Ulman, Pelotonia President and CEO, in the press release. “This new space will allow us to continue to serve our community, while providing the additional space needed to grow and host events that are important to our organization, all while making a direct impact on cancer research.”

For more information, visit livekaufman.com.