Westerville's Java Central to merge with Dayton-based coffee roaster

WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Westerville coffee shop will remain open after merging with another Ohio coffee company.

Java Central Cafe and Roaster at 20 S. State St. is set to become part of Boston Stoker Coffee Co., a Dayton-based company with roots dating to 1973. The Westerville shop said on social media that "we needed to look for a new way to sustain" and that it has been collaborating with Boston Stoker for more than 10 years, including hosting joint barista competitions for local industry colleagues to connect.

"We could not be more proud to announce this union," said Java Central. "As part of the Boston Stoker family, we will now be enabled to continue our service to Westerville -- remaining as Java Central -- with the same radical hospitality, quality products and exceptional staff that have worked so hard to get us here."

Established in 1973, Boston Stoker began as a pipe and tobacco shop and is home to a full coffee bar along with a number of breakfast options, baked goods and a selection of 12-ounce bags. The coffee roaster operates four Dayton-area locations, a café in Grandview Heights at 1101 W. 1st Ave., and another at 6058 Glick Road in Shawnee Hills north of Dublin that opened last year.

"I am very excited for our teams to join up and grow together. We have had a vast depth of experience in the 50 years we have been in business but we continue to learn and grow every day," said Henry Dean, CEO of Boston Stoker. "Our vision is to become the premier roaster in the Midwest that exceeds the expectations of our farmers, families, and coffee loving friends."

Boston Stoker's Shawnee Hills location is open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Java Central is open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.