Main Ground Coffee Debuts in Groveport, Blending Family Roots and Award-winning Crimson Cup Coffee

Main Ground Coffee is more than a name. It's a statement of origin, intention and heart. Owner Avery Ward opened the shop in the building that once housed his family's restaurant, Little Italy, for over 45 years. Even earlier, it was home to his grandfather's grocery store, founded in 1966.

"These truly are our main grounds — our stomping grounds," Ward said. "We wanted to breathe new life into this space while honoring its legacy. Now, instead of groceries or pizza, we serve connection and community through coffee."

As CEO of Little Italy Ristorante, Ward spent the last decade revitalizing his family's restaurant business in a new space at 480 Main Street, across the street from the original location. In 2023, the Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance honored the family-owned eatery as the Best Restaurant in Central Ohio.

Now, Ward is pairing that culinary legacy with award-winning coffee from Columbus roaster Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea to create a new destination rooted in excellence, history and hospitality.

Main Ground Coffee continues Ward's mission to serve people with passion and purpose — now one cup at a time.

What's Brewing

From classic drip brews to nuanced espresso-based creations, Main Ground offers a beverage menu that combines precision and creativity. Guests have already praised the shop's smooth, flavorful coffee and its well-balanced handcrafted drinks in dozens of five-star reviews.

"Awesome vibe and very nostalgic to the old Little Italy's that used to be here," wrote one Google local guide. "I spent so much of my childhood here getting pizza and to see it transformed so beautifully was truly amazing. Service was great, and so was the food and coffee!"

Ward said the shop receives compliments on its seasonal drink flavors and the creativity behind the bar. "People really feel like they're getting something special!"

Partnering for Success with Crimson Cup

To bring his vision to life, Ward partnered with Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea, an award-winning coffee roaster and business consultant with over 30 years of history in Columbus. Its 7 Steps to Success consulting program has helped more than 300 independent coffee shops open and grow in 37 states.

"Crimson Cup doesn't just hand you a manual and wish you luck — they roll up their sleeves and get in the trenches with you," Ward said. "From buildout to training and education, they've been hands-on and invested in our success."

Ward found Step 5 of the program — Training Your Team to Brew and Serve Coffee — especially valuable. "You can have a beautiful space and great beans, but if your team can't execute consistently, it falls apart. Training is everything."

Advice for Aspiring Owners

Ward's advice to other entrepreneurs? "Treat it like a business from day one. Passion is great, but systems, leadership and financial discipline keep the doors open. Build a brand with purpose, hire for culture and get your numbers dialed in early."

He also emphasizes the value of partnership. "Don't be afraid to ask for help — you don't have to go it alone."

Main Ground Coffee is open daily at 619 Main Street in Groveport. To learn more, visit maingroundcoffee.com or follow @MainGroundCoffee on Instagram and Facebook.

About Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea

Founded in 1991, Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea is a leader in the specialty coffee industry, recognized for award-winning quality and commitment to sustainability. The company's accolades include multiple Good Food Awards, the 2025 Golden Bean World Series Championship and Roast magazine's 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year.

Through its Friend2Farmer initiatives, Crimson Cup supports coffee-growing communities with sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships. Its 7 Steps to Success program empowers entrepreneurs to open independent coffee shops by providing a detailed coffee shop business plan template, hands-on training, award-winning coffee and ongoing consulting.

Crimson Cup coffee is served in over 700 independent coffeehouses, grocers, universities, restaurants, and food service locations across 36 states and Bangladesh. The company also operates its own Crimson Cup and CRIMSON coffeehouses in Ohio. To learn more, visit crimsoncup.com.

Media Contact:

Cheryl Claypoole
For Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea
[email protected]
614-361-5023

SOURCE Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea