We Serve. Coffee to close

FINDLAY — We Serve. Coffee, a Findlay café open since 2013, will close its doors on Dec. 23. The coffeeshop, owned by Jack Winans, is closing due to financial challenges associated with owning a small business, Winans said. "There are a number of factors: the leading one is the extremely increased cost of doing business. The number of coffee shops in Findlay has more than doubled as well, so that has contributed," Winans said. As the café prepares to close, customers may notice some changes. "As we move into December, we will start limiting our food menu. While we will try to maintain our current hour structure, that may fluctuate a bit depending on our staff's needs," Winans said. First opening in February 2013, We Serve. Coffee has always been involved in helping the community. Winans' main way to give back was to donate to charities. "Many, many charities — Open Arms, Mission Possible, Cancer Patient Services, American Heart Association, Hancock County Humane Society. Fundraisers for McComb students, Arcadia Band, FFE golf outings and 5Ks," Winans said. Winans said We Serve. Coffee donated about $125,000 to charities, all told. "We donated food and coffee for many activities in the community, including the National Night Out, The Bigs' golf outing. We provided coffee fundraisers for local schools," Winans said. Along with all We Serve. Coffee gave to the community, the community gave back to them. Winans said that because of the cafe, he became "Uncle Jack" to many young customers. "We have so many wonderful memories. Not limited to many first dates and eventual proposals and bridal showers. Those led to some really fun wedding events that we did coffee for," Winans said. "Baby showers, a first birthday party and a 90th birthday party as well." What's ahead Once the shop closes its storefront, Winans said he plans to continue selling products through the web. "My plan is to offer our bagged coffee online, with local delivery and mailed delivery for out-of-town patrons," he said. Winans is currently determining whether or not the business will have "a pop-up presence" at special events. For now, Winans plans on using this time for family. "My plans are unknown. I know that God has a plan for my life, I am praying over that and I know that God will provide," Winans said. "In the meantime, I am focusing on getting healthy, working on my marriage and family and just in general trying to be a better person. I have a long list of projects at home that I will be able to tackle, as I haven't had the time to do so for a long time." We Serve. Coffee, at 114 E. Sandusky St., will remain open until Dec. 23. Once closed, customers can visit https://weservecoffee.org for more information on their bagged coffee.