From Bible to Bait to Barista: 1868 Westerville Building May Serve Coffee Next
Historic Westerville Church May Soon Serve Coffee Instead of Sermons
A 157-year-old former church and one-room schoolhouse that’s sat vacant for decades could soon pour fresh life and fresh coffee into the northeast corner of South Sunbury and Central College roads.
At a recent Westerville Planning Commission work session, developers presented early-stage plans to convert the historic brick building at 860 S. Sunbury Road into a small, locally owned café named Canoe Beans. The owners, Aunda and Drew Klopfer, envision a neighborhood-focused coffee shop with modest indoor seating, expansive outdoor patios, and a design that carefully blends modern features with historic character.
“This building has always had a unique presence at the intersection,” said architect Joaquin Serantes, representing the Klopfers. “The goal is to preserve what makes it special while giving it a new life.”
The building’s story stretches back to 1868, when it was constructed as a Baptist church. After the congregation relocated in 1903, the site was sold to Blendon Township and later served as a one-room schoolhouse from 1925 to 1938, according to city records. It became a private residence before the Schwind family converted it into Harry & Dot’s Bait Store, which closed in the early 2000s. The building has been empty ever since, mainly due to the lack of sewer access until recent infrastructure improvements.
Now, within the Central College Special Overlay District and part of the Neighborhood Center area in the Westerville Community Plan, the site is finally set for revitalization.
The proposed project retains the original 1,300-square-foot brick building while adding nearly 1,000 square feet of ground-level patio and a 500-square-foot mezzanine patio. Inside, seating will be limited to about 12 to maintain a relaxed and open atmosphere. The shop will focus on baked goods, coffee, tea, and other light fare, and will not include a commercial kitchen or evening hours.
A two-story glass stair tower will provide access to the upper patio. Meanwhile, bike racks, walking paths, and natural landscaping will connect the shop to nearby trails and the upcoming 200+ unit apartment complex on Sunbury Road.
In their project narrative, the Klopfers described the shop as “a timeless staple that feels like it’s been adjacent to the Hoover Reservoir Parkland for decades.”
Planning Commission members were excited about the proposed use, describing it as a “perfect fit” for the small corner lot. However, they advised caution when it comes to modernization. Several members advocated for preserving the original windows, restoring traditional siding, and keeping the historic stone date plaque visible on the façade.
“Don’t lose the character in an attempt to modernize it,” one commissioner advised.
Access and parking remain difficult. The current plan offers right-in/right-out access from both Sunbury and Central College roads, but only 14 of the 18 required on-site parking spaces are included. Possible options include shared parking arrangements or on-street parking on East Street.
Some commissioners proposed removing any potential drive-thru component (discussed in earlier plans under different developers) in favor of a bike- and pedestrian-focused layout, aligning with the Klopfers’ vision for a relaxed, community-centered atmosphere.
This isn’t the first time the corner has attracted redevelopment interest. A previous plan looked at a wider mix of uses for the site, including retail, residential, and potentially a coffee shop. That proposal also aimed to keep the building’s historic charm and bring it back as a community gathering space, but it never went beyond the conceptual stage.
That vision now feels more likely than ever to become reality.
“This is exactly the kind of small-scale retail that fits here,” one commissioner said. “The details just need to be worked out.”
The owners requested a work session to review their proposal before submitting a formal application to use the property.
The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication by Gary Gardiner, a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.
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