Impero Coffee Roasters

This was my first time over here since they came to this new location, and I hate to say it, but I’m not feelin’ it. There are only two parking spots right in front of the store, but since there’s room for about eight people inside, I guess there’s little need for more. There are a few more parking spots around the corner, but if you’re gonna drive that far down, you might as well just use the drive-​through.
There is some outdoor seating, but I (for one) don’t fancy a view of an auto service center while I’m trying to work. Or chill. Or work-​chill.
The barista was friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful, and my tea hit the spot, but the food options are lacking, especially compared with the cornucopia I associate with Impero’s Short North location. I know I should expect a smaller selection at a smaller spot, but I will have to be eating before I go, if I go again.
The best use of this Impero’s is probably for the drive-​through, since its downside is mostly its petiteness and lack of exterior atmosphere.

Great Coffee, I believe the best in town. Love the Dark Vader. There is nothing like going in and smelling the aroma of fresh coffee beans being roasted right in the middle of the room. Can’t beat that with a stick!

Many don’t know about this place and maybe they should. I have been getting my espresso here since we opened and I also get other beans for my special brews, pourovers, cloth filter, vacuumpot, etc.
I tried the big coffee roasters around and even the big specialty roasters and I think Impero’s roasts are one of my favorites.
So I don’t see any reason to get them elsewhere, unless I am in another coffee shop. I take my baristas to many different coffee shops around central Ohio for two main reasons: to expose them to different coffee environment and try different coffees.
If you are in the east side, try Red Velvet Café and you can taste their coffee.

Do not miss out on this place just because it is a little bit hidden. I did not know this, but Impero has been in Grove City for a while; just not on my path. It is now part of the same building as Buckeye Beverage Bay Drive-​Thru (and in fact, you CAN drive thru for your coffee or coffee beverage. I accidentally came across it when I had some brake work done at Tuffy (right next door) a couple of months ago. They were just getting this location going, but I needed a place to wait out my brake job. There is a bar you can sit at or 2 – 3 small café tables. The coffee roaster is a cool, beast of a contraption in the middle of the store working away at roasting some good beans. If you «drink in» and use their ceramic mugs, it is bottomless. Being a first timer and not sure how long I’d be there, I ordered a to-​go cup of light roast that was delicious and set up my laptop until my car was ready. For me, the coffee KILLED other high-​rent chains and the price was comparable. The owner was super-​nice and chatted with me for a few about how they came to wind up at that location. I guess aside from being a coffee shop, they roast beans for a variety of other places. They have since moved the entrance door to the front so that it is more easily accessed and visible. It is not a daily stop for me simply because I try to save a little by making my own coffee most mornings, but when I’m out for a cup, this beats any other place I’ve stopped.