Many Grove City College students may be familiar with Collage Coffee on Grove City’s Broad Street. They may know Collage’s delicious variety of food and beverages, including coffee, tea, sandwiches, and pastries. Customers may not know the popular coffee shop was founded by Grove City graduates Joe and Emily Funte.
Neither Joe nor Emily graduated from Grove City with a business degree. After graduating with English and Music majors, the couple decided to stay in Grove City. They thought about opening a coffee shop and a storefront became available. Their church’s need for a space to meet and knowing some artists who wanted to display their artwork gave the couple the final push to open Collage Coffee and Art House.
In 2017, Joe and Emily opened Collage Coffee and Art House. To help local artists, the couple rents wall space to sell their art which builds community connection. As for the college students, the location and wonderful drinks attract them. Each season, the owners create new drink recipes to attract customers. The small shop provides a space to be surrounded by artwork as the customer enjoys his or her hand-crafted beverage.
In August 2023, Collage opened a second location, where they will receive foot traffic from the outlet malls. The second store has a kitchen where they can cook food and make drinks. While the new location does not display art on the walls, the original location still supports local artists.
Despite their lack of knowledge and experience, Joe and Emily Funte created a successful business while helping their community. They continue to appeal to customers because of their quality food and excellent locations. Collage Coffee and Art House shows how people can combine the needs they see and create a unique and thriving business.
Visit their website at: Collage Coffee
Read more at: Collage offers coffee, art, classes, more | News | alliednews.com
I did not know all this; this was very cool to read about. I love Joe and Emily’s story of not knowing much about starting a business at all and yet having a need to be fulfilled and going after it. I think this is a great entrepreneurial story that shows that entrepreneurship can be found in the most unlikely situations; and that anyone can be an entrepreneur. I also think it’s amazing how God’s plan for each of us can be something so different than what we think.
Wow, that’s a very neat story! It’s very interesting to hear about their backgrounds and major to see where they have ended up. I also like how they differentiated themselves from other coffee shops by also making it an art gallery. What a great way to strengthen and build the community.
This is so awesome, it’s funny to see how many people don’t set out to become entrepreneurs or business owners, yet here they are! The collaboration of art and coffee I feel goes so well together, and definitely attracts the college students who are very close. I specifically remember getting a card that said $2 off my first drink for Collage Coffee from GCC and that is a great way to promote their business.
I love how unique both their story and idea is. Even though they may have felt unqualified, they continued to pursue their idea and stay local. I love how they combined art with coffee, which makes sense in a college town like Grove City. I also didn’t realize they were graduates of GCC that’s so cool and inspiring!
Ooh! This is so cool! I love that you wrote on a local coffee shop. It really shows that entrepreneurs can be anyone from anywhere; they’re not some far-off concept that we only see on the news. And even better, they’re helping a new generation of students start their own entrepreneurial endeavors! What a great story!