Manager Karen Hoffman welcomes patrons to the Copper Cup Coffee Company in Westlake. (West Life photos by Larry Bennet)

Historic structure houses the Copper Cup
By Cynthia Schuster-Eakin
Insights
Published Jan. 30, 2008

If bricks and boards could talk, the walls at the Copper Cup Coffee Company would have a lot to say about the history of Westlake and Bay Village.

ADVERTISEMENT

The landmark building at 680 Dover Center Road has housed several businesses, including Dover Hardware, frequented by many area residents over the years. Most recently, the structure was used by Rae Ann nursing homes as a storage facility for office files. The owners of the adjacent Ironwood Café decided to buy the building, refurbish it and open it as a coffee shop where community members could gather.

“We have found a lot of pictures of the building back when it was Dover Hardware,” Joe Dubbs, manager of the Copper Cup and the Ironwood Café said. “We are in the process of having them enlarged and framed and eventually plan to hang them in the coffee shop.” A Lyman boat transom is mounted on one of the walls. “The original building owner loved Lyman boats, which we discovered in the pictures. We thought we could use the boat as a sort of signature for the coffee shop,” Dubbs explained.

The interior of the building has been beautifully restored. They even managed to salvage the original hardwood floors. A cozy fireplace surrounded by comfortable furnishings make The Copper Cup a welcome place to relax and enjoy a meal on a cold winter day.

“Our aim is to keep everything fresh and good,” Dubbs said. “Everything is made in-house, whenever possible. The muffins and cookies are baked at the Ironwood.” The Ironwood chefs also prepare the soups. Two soups are offered daily. The signature house soup is tomato basil. Dubbs said they contract with a pastry chef for the high-end cheesecakes and individual gourmet desserts.

Sandwiches and fresh pastries are also available at the Copper Cup Coffee Company.

The centerpiece of the shop is the full service espresso bar, where patrons can order espresso, cappuccino, lattes, frappes and freshly brewed coffee and tea. Fruit smoothies are made to order with fresh fruit and yogurt. You can also add a vitamin nutrient boost.

Salads include the Copper, a house garden salad with feta cheese and balsamic vinaigrette ($5.95), and Asian chicken salad, with grilled chicken, Mandarin oranges, almonds and sesame dressing ($7.50).

Baguette sandwiches are prepared with your choice of turkey, ham, Italian deli meats or roasted vegetables ($5.50). Add a side of fresh fruit, ciabatta roll, yogurt or kettle chips for an additional dollar. Brown bag lunches ($8) include a combination of sandwich, soup and side.

Dubbs said the most popular item on the Copper Cup menu, since its opening on Jan 10, has been the smoked turkey panini sandwich, topped with roasted red peppers, provolone cheese, spinach and pesto sauce on a pretzel roll ($6.25). Other paninis are the Hawaiian pineapple chicken with zesty mustard ($6.75) and peppered beef with roasted tomatoes, red onions and cheddar cheese on rosemary sourdough ($6.95). The Cuban panini is made with pulled pork and smoked ham, topped with sliced pickles, Swiss cheese and yellow mustard ($6.75).

The homemade tuna salad nicoise sandwich is also a top seller, according to Dubbs. Grilled Ahi tuna, red onion, scallions and olives are laced with lemon caper mayonnaise and served on whole-wheat bagel bread ($6.25). There is also chicken salad combined with tarragon, bell peppers and spicy mayonnaise ($6.50). The Caprese sandwich is fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, mixed greens and basil balsamic dressing on herb focaccia bread ($6.50). The California wrap combines smoked turkey with tomato, alfalfa sprouts, fat-free chipotle cream cheese and avocado cream in a whole wheat tortilla wrap ($6.25).

The Copper Cup Coffee Company is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday through Wednesday, and from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Thursday through Saturday. There is a spacious conference room for meetings and private events. Full catering is available. Phone (440) 835-8255 or visit www.coppercupcoffee.com. Major credit cards are accepted.