OurStory

When we decided to open a cafe in the autumn of 2011…
we had no idea of the epic adventure on which we were embarking. Little did we know that our tiny cookie and coffee shop in a quiet “up and coming” neighborhood would someday become a full fledged cafe in bustling downtown Columbus.

In the autumn of 2011, we decided to open a cookie shop in the Italian Village of Columbus. At that time, there were very few retail businesses in the area, but we jumped on the opportunity to open our own place that was close to the Short North and also had affordable rent. In December of that year, we opened the doors to Cookie Cravings Bakery.

Over the first few months, we got to know the area and our neighbors and quickly realized that there was much more demand for a lunch and brunch spot than a cookie shop.

We purchased a couple crepe makers and began offering a few seasonal savory crepes in addition to the sweets. With a larger menu, we watched our business grow a little more month by month until we had a loyal crew of regulars. Soon, we realized that it was time for a new name, as we no longer wanted to be “the cookie shop that sells crepes”. In March 2014, we rebranded and became Cravings Carryout Cafe.

Soon, we earned a loyal following of weekday lunch and weekend brunch regulars. Matt developed a recipe for brioche rolls, which pushed our menu forward once again. We kept with a small menu that was available all day and featured daily specials that would often sell out.
In September 2015, we were forced to find a new location for our cafe. At the time, it seemed devastating, as we loved our neighborhood and customers, but soon we realized the incredible opportunity for growth that we were given. With the help of our customers and friends, both emotionally and financially, we were able to find a new location in a thriving part of downtown Columbus.

With a new location that is three times larger than our shop in the Italian Village, we knew it was time for one final rebranding- we became Cravings Cafe. In the new space, we are able to carry over the most important parts of Cravings… our menu remains small and focused on seasonal ingredients, our kitchen is open to watch food being prepared, and our space is warm, cozy, and inviting. We hope that you love it as much as we do!

We welcome all of our loyal customers over the years to continue on this journey with us and hope that new faces in the cafe will become new friends. That is why we do what we do.

-Matt and Lindsey Tewanger​