A popular coffee shop in downtown Toledo, The Flying Joe, will be closing its doors at its downtown location on January 24. The announcement was made by owner Becky Ohm, who cited several challenges contributing to the decision.
Ohm explained that colder months typically see a drop in customer traffic, with January and February being particularly slow. She mentioned that poor weather often leads customers to visit closer locations instead.
Another key issue was staffing. Ohm noted the difficulty of hiring enough workers without being able to offer consistent hours. As a result, the coffee shop had to reduce its hours, operating with just one shift.
Competition from other local coffee shops in the downtown area was also a factor in the decision to close. “It’s hard to compete when there are so many other coffee spots downtown,” Ohm said.
Sarah Godzlik, a regular customer who works nearby, said she wasn’t surprised by the closure, given the high number of coffee shops in the area. “There are so many good coffee places downtown, and it’s a bit of a tucked-away spot. It’s disappointing, though, because I hope some places can stick around,” Godzlik remarked.
Meanwhile, local business Balance Pan-Asian Grille, located next to The Flying Joe, has had to adapt to survive in the competitive downtown market. Co-founder Hochan Gang shared that the pandemic had a significant impact on local businesses, and to stay afloat, his restaurant focused on convenience through third-party delivery services and a mobile app.
With the downtown location closing, Ohm is now focusing on The Flying Joe’s Perrysburg shop, which she described as five times larger and more successful. Ohm hinted that exciting changes are coming to the Perrysburg location in March, though she declined to provide further details.
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