As we are all beginning to navigate the world with a sense of normal again, many things are changing, and people, especially teenagers, are looking for fun things to do. The perfect solution for wanting to get out of the house for a small while? Coffee shops. These shops often offer things for younger kids such as sweets or beverages along with coffee, which make them the best of both worlds for all ages. Luckily, Wooster has quite a handful of coffee shops located in the downtown area.

Sure House coffee is located next door from Meatheads Union and across from City Square Steakhouse. Due to their delicious coffee, they also have a shop in Orville if you’re outside of town. But in their Wooster shop, they are known for their decor. Their rustic brick walls, and the bulbed string light hanging from the ceiling create a very aesthetically pleasing environment, which can also be a great backdrop for pictures. Their employees are all incredibly kind, and it has a very productive atmosphere, if you’re looking to get some work, or school work done. Along with their coffee, Sure House also makes a handful of baked goods, such as blueberry scones, chocolate chip cookies, and their signature cretzels; and even the pickiest of kids can’t turn down one of their chocolate cretzels.

Diagonal from Sure House is Tulipan Pastry and Coffee Shop. The layout of the shop makes you feel like you have been transported to a cozy and quiet coffee shop in the midst of downtown Paris, without ever leaving the city of Wooster. The shop has a display of quite a few delicious looking treats, with some being common, and some being European dishes that you might not have ever heard of. Tulipan offers a unique experience in their kinds of recipes, as they are brought from Hungary. While these types of desserts might deter the youngest clientele, it is a great shop for exposing young kids to desserts that they wouldn’t ordinarily get to try. Along with the tradition that they bring both metaphorically and literally to the table, their coffee options contain almost every syrup you could think of. While these options may not be listed on their main menu inside the store, don’t hesitate to ask what sort of drinks they can make for you.

A shop that is known for having a boatload of different types of drinks is Wooster Nutrition. Wooster Nutrition has a unique take on coffee and teas that is not quite like anything we have in Wooster. All of their drinks contain a bit of extra protein or extra vitamins and minerals, and occasionally, they include both. Their teas or otherwise known as their mega teas are worth their money from the sheer size of them, along with the vibrant mix of colors that the teas create. Along with the fun colors that their teas are, their selection of flavors in teas and shakes are sure to be enjoyed by anyone of any age. Wooster Nutrition’s menu is very long and extensive, but not to worry; inside their store they will happily explain the menu to you. You are also given a card to fill out your order and it lists all of the possible options. Along with their shakes and teas they also offer protein coffee in two flavors which are house brew and in mocha.

The most “hidden gem” on this list is Undergrounds because of the store's location, which is unsurprisingly, underground. It is located in the Liberty Street Market Place building, and it sits on the lowest level. It is low enough that you can’t really hear the commotion from the downtown area outside and the floor isn’t usually crowded. Because of its location it makes it a great place if you are looking for some peace and quiet. Undergrounds is also special in this list as it is the only shop that is both a cafe and coffee house. Along with their coffee, Undergrounds offers a handful of wraps, salads, and sandwiches. But if you don’t want coffee or you can’t have it, they also offer a few smoothies. In general it is a great place to spend the morning or afternoon working on a project, visiting with a friend, or just to stop by to grab a bite.

But the shop that really takes the cake for uncommon drinks in the area is the Boba Bowl. The shop has been widely well received and is quite busy at all times of the day, but this is for good reason. While the shop of course offers classic milk teas with regular tapioca balls, it also offers a handful of bubble milk coffee flavors and a vast range of fruit teas. The fruit teas are quite tasty and taste almost as if they were a mix of juices. The fruit teas can have boba pearl toppings or jelly toppings, which are both chewy; or popping pearl toppings. Popping pearl toppings can be a great option for young kids if you are worried about them choking on the boba balls, as they ‘pop’ open to release a flavor when they enter your mouth. While you might feel hesitant to try something new, the Boba Bowl is certainly good enough to be worth a try.



All five places make some really great drinks and have wonderful workers that always seem to make your day. These shops are also a great way to support your local businesses, which is important to the community. So the next time one of your siblings, kids, or friends says that they’re bored, maybe head out to your closest downtown coffee shop, and try something new. Regardless of if you are 17, 8, 50, or 80 they are a sure way to have a great afternoon.