When I first saw the damage Mission Coffee Co.’s building had suffered today, the first thing that came to mind was the image of a Columbus driver revving their engine, foaming at the mouth, and muttering “Support local? Not on my watch.”
But instead, Mother Nature beat them to the punch — because Mission Coffee Co. just took a hit. Again.
If you’ve never been, Mission Coffee is the kind of place that turns casual caffeine consumers into full-blown coffee snobs. Their coffee is so good you can taste the care in every sip. It’s warm, it’s smooth, it’s borderline romantic.
The Mission Coffee Rollercoaster
The story of this place has already had more plot twists than a prestige drama. A few years back, Mission had to close their original café in the Short North, which was devastating for anyone who enjoys nice things. But instead of disappearing, they operated in a quirky industrial building on the South Side, where they made insanely good coffee in a converted minibus. Yes, they literally walked you outside to roast your beans in a tiny bus like it was totally normal. It was weird. It was wonderful. It was peak Columbus.
Then in late 2024, the good news came: Mission was reopening its original Short North shop. Cue the confetti. It felt like a real comeback — the kind of place where you could sip a perfect cortado with the garage door rolled up, a crisp breeze drifting in, and maybe shed a single joyful tear.
But of course… the plot thickened again.
In March 2025, the South Side location quietly shut down. I was bummed, but still hopeful. At least the Short North café was back. We still had nice things.
But Nothing Good Ever Lasts, I Suppose
On April 3rd, severe storms rolled through Columbus, and the front façade of Mission’s Short North building started to collapse.
Because apparently, when you serve some of the best coffee in Columbus, the universe keeps trying to test your structural integrity.
Thankfully, the building is still safe, Mission is still open, and the team is pushing forward like the resilient caffeine angels they are. You’ll just need to use the side entrance for now while they handle repairs. Which, in the grand scheme of things, feels like a small inconvenience for a cup of coffee this good.
So if you haven’t been to Mission yet, let this be your sign. Go. Go now. Grab a latte. Bring a friend. Post up by the window and appreciate the chaotic, beautiful resilience of a local business that just won’t quit.
And maybe bring an umbrella. Just in case.