When Jonathan Gladysz left West Virginia and headed to Evangel University to study church leadership a few years ago, he stumbled upon something that began as a passion and has now turned into a business. The business, which opened April 1 her in Bridgeport, is a direct result of what he found on the streets of Springfield.

 

“When I was there, practically every street corner had these specialty coffee shops … I got obsessed with coffee and got deep into the entire coffee scene,” said Gladysz, a 2011 Robert C. Byrd graduate. “When I got back here I noticed there weren’t a whole lot of places doing the thing I was used to, and my eyes became open to that.”

 

Eventually, his mind would become open to starting his own business. Today, located at the State Street Plaza in Bridgeport, is Koin Coffee and Crepes.

 

“When I moved back here, I wasn’t looking to do this, but I struggled that what I wanted wasn’t really available. Instead of complaining about it, I decided I should do it myself,” said Gladysz.

 

Like many of the shops in the plaza, it’s not overly large. Gladysz said there is seating for up to 10 people. One other thing isn’t overly large – and that’s what’s offered and that’s by design.

 

As one might imagine, coffee is the specialty. And unlike the shops in the plaza, the taste is big.

 

“What sets us apart is we roast our coffee, every single bean so it’s fresh,” said Gladys, who graduated from Evangel in 2015. “Most places do blends, but we try to keep our coffee country by country and region by region as single origin pours. You can come here and, for instance, see how a Kenyan coffee tastes or a Columbian coffee tastes. Those things help create our niche.”

 

While you can get your standard coffee, espresso and other drinks, Koin offers a variation of coffee that is a “nitro cold brew.” Gladysz said it is coffee poured on tap.

 

“It’s like a beer. You put in a keg and hook nitrogen to it and your drink comes out with a foamy head similar to a stout beer,” said Gladysz, who also said coffee is available for purchase by the bag as well for home brewing.

 

What about the other part of the equation – crepes?

 

“As far as crepes, you won’t get those at too many places; maybe iHop,” said Gladysz. “I remember growing up and going to crepe places and figured it would be a good combination to go with the coffee and it’s working. We’re sticking pretty tight to coffee and crepes because we want to do just a few things and do it well.”

 

Crepes of different varieties are available, including fresh takes. Recently, they offered a strawberry, blueberry, Nutella crepe and others can be found there as well.

 

The other part of the name, Koin, also isn’t random. Koin, is short for Koinonia. It’s a Greek word that carries the idea of a powerful “togetherness.”

 

As for where to find Koin Coffee and Crepes, the State Street Plaza is just past Sheetz and City National Bank and before the Bridgeport Public Library. Gladysz said it’s a great location.

 

“We wanted to be in Bridgeport because it’s a great community for small businesses,” said Gladysz. “We looked around, but rent was more than we could bite off. This is not only a lower rate, but it’s a good spot with plenty of other businesses around.

 

“it’s a little small and I’m not sure if this is our forever location,” he continued. “I am sure it’s a good starting point for us.”

 

Business hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., while being closed Sunday.

 

Individuals are encouraged to come in, sit down and take advantage of the free WIFI. Gladysz said you can also get to barista and manager Ryan Hulmes, who is one of five employees and who “has the same passion for coffee I have and we’re in together on this.”

 

For those with questions, you can contact the store during regular business hours. The number is 304-476-4881.

 

Editor’s Note: Photos from the Koin Coffee and Crepes Facebook page. Top photo shows one of their offerings, while the second is of barista Ryan Hulmes. In the third photo is one of the crepe offerings, while a nitro cold brew is poured from a tap below.