CINCINNATI -- The Queen City is the perfect place for startups, according to a local entrepreneur who is preparing to launch a new downtown coffee shop in November.
“It was always my dream to open a coffee shop because most good things happen in coffee shops,” Black Coffee and Black Owned founder Means Cameron said.
Now Cameron’s dream is coming true as employees are trained on the finer points of commercial coffee brewing.
“We started this coffee shop a year ago, and I started with my own money thinking I could get it accomplished,” he said. “Then, halfway through, I realized that I didn't have enough money to finish the project.”
Cameron applied for a grant through Main Street Ventures. He was one of the winners presented with the grant at Startup Week Cincinnati.
“It was really worth it because $25,000 is a lot of money,” he said.
Black Coffee will be located at the corner of 9th and Elm streets. Cameron is creating a space inspired by hip-hop, street culture and music where coffee takes on an urban flavor and customers can enjoy local acts.
"We’re building a stage for our performances,” Cameron said. “Giving the artists in the community an opportunity to share their talents."
Black Coffee is the third expansion for Cameron. He started Black Owned, a branded apparel company in 2011.
