By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — The River CoffeeHouse, which opened in February and quickly became known for its outdoor seating catty-cornered from the Kosciusko County courthouse, is relocating.
That sounds like a shocking development, given how popular the business has become, but Amanda Meerzo, who owns and operates the business with her husband, Jamel, confirmed the store plans to quickly move across the street to another corner spot across from the courthouse at 101 E. Center St.
The move is necessary because the existing location only has five tables inside the business and the owners realized they would not be able to accommodate their current customer base through the winter months.
“It just kind of made us start thinking what were we going to do when it gets cold? Could we make it with just 12 seats?” Amanda Meezo said.
The new location offers much more interior seating space — including a low level — and a bigger kitchen.
She said the new location will include an expanded menu.
Outdoor seating at the new store will return in the spring, she said.
The arrival of the store nine months ago ended a vacant on the key corner lot that had existed for a handful of years despite the ideal location.
One fellow retailer — Michelle Smith-LeDrew — said recently she thinks The River has been singly responsible for an uptick in foot traffic and many see it as an ideal location for a retailer.
Meerzo is confident about the change.
“We do feel we do have the best location but the best part is that this is really the same location, just the opposite side of the street,” Amanda said. “It was a very, very hard decision for us, but for the community and what we want to achieve, this is doable.”
The future store, which has been home to Oku Roji, a Japanese restaurant, is currently being renovated and Meerzo said they plan to transition soon and reopen as soon as Nov. 20.
Word of the new location surfaced Wednesday on the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page with a playful video.
Chamber President Rob Parker, who appeared in the video, applauded the move and said it was another sign of how energized the downtown has become.
The River’s original coffee shop is in North Webster and Meerzo said this year’s expansion has exceeded expectations.
“It has been amazing. It has left us speechless many times,” she said. “We love being part of downtown.”
Property of the current and future stores is owned by David Gustafson, but it’s unclear what plans are in store for the lot on the southeast corner once it is vacant.
