One Line is opening soon at River & Rich - Photo by Susan Post

In just a few short weeks, One Line Coffee will open its newest shop in Franklinton, albeit with a slightly different concept than first expected.

When first announced in May 2018, One Line and local confectioner MMELO were planning a collaborative experience from a storefront in the River & Rich development. Now, it will be a One Line solo operation, but the businesses maintain a good relationship.

The contractor selected for the project hit internal issues, eventually shutting down and declaring bankruptcy, leaving One Line out of money and behind schedule. But with a lease in place, they had to make it work.

“It became clear that we needed to change the whole concept,” says One Line Managing Partner for Retail Mick Evans.

The new One Line will not only offer its popular coffee, but beer, wine and small plates.

Evans says the eats break down into three categories: pastries and breakfast items that support the AM coffee crowd, noshes for all day snacking, and to-order fare. One Line plans to source some eats from outside vendors, including MMELO. They’ll look to create a signature breakfast item that will be a menu staple customizable to fit different dietary needs and also stock in-house, fresh-baked pastries.

“We want to have food products that specifically support some of our coffee products and specifically pair with our beer and wine offerings,” Evans says.

The small plates menu will be more modest at first, focusing on creative dishes that baristas can easily step back to the kitchen and prepare. Such to-order fare will expand as the team gets a feel for the new concept.

Creative pairings extend across the food and drink menus. The beer menu will heavily feature brews made with One Line beans. The roaster has partnerships with Pretentious Barrel House, Lineage Brewing, Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, Mad Moon Cider and more.

Evans envisions parings like a shot of One Line’s Method Espresso paired with Wolf’s Ridge Brewing’s Night Method Espresso Milk Stout.

“Those kinds of creative pairings, nobody is doing those in Columbus right now,” Evans says.

While Evans says they love the Short North, Franklinton fit the area and the audience they were looking for in their next location.

“We were looking for a neighborhood that was arts-centered or arts-focused, and certainly the Short North still has a lot of that vibe, but it’s no secret to anybody, the neighborhood is changing,” Evans says. “It’s growing up and evolving.”

The coffee shop knew they were headed in the right direction when former Short North neighbors like ROY G BIV Gallery also made the move to Franklinton. It’s in the River & Rich project as well, along with soon-to-open Makers Social and Yellow Brick Pizza in the spring.

One Line is aiming for an early February opening at 471 W. Rich St.

For more information, visit onelinecoffee.com.