Build-Outs Of Coffee: Mom 'N 'Em Coffee & Wine In Cincinnati, OH

It’s always fun for us to keep tabs on new projects and expansions from familiar entrepreneurs. For the Ferrari Brothers—Austin and Tony—we’ve been following their work since 2015, when they helmed an influential little espresso bar in San Francisco’s Potrero Hill neighborhood called Provender. Cut to a few years later, and the bros. decamped for their native southeast Ohio, opening up new coffee projects often with natural wine as a featured component. Now we’re checking out their latest, a new location for their cafe brand with a distinctly unique name. Not M&M, not Eminem, this is Mom ‘N ‘Em Coffee & Wine in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The 2022 Build-Outs of Coffee is presented by Dripos, Dona, and Mill City Roasters. The 2022 Build-Outs of Coffee is sponsored by La Marzocco, Pacific Barista Series, Acaia, Cropster, and Marco Beverage Systems.

As told to Sprudge by Colin Shepherd.

For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?

Mom ‘n ’em Coffee & Wine was started by Tony and Austin Ferrari while they were operating a restaurant and coffee shop in San Francisco years ago. They opened the first location in 2019 in Camp Washington, Cincinnati and dedicated it to their mother, Theresa. The goal was to make the shop a dedicated third space for people to gather, drink coffee, drink wine, and feel at home (no jumping on the couch). Since 2019, the shop has been mentioned by several news outlets, both local and national, and was recently noticed as the “Best Coffee Shop in Ohio” by Food & Wine Magazine!

Can you tell us a bit about the new space?

Located in Madisonville, a quaint neighborhood on the East Side of Cincinnati, the second Mom ‘n ’em location is a direct evolution of the original space. Although the new shop is not based in a house like the original, it still embodies the Mom ‘n ’em charm.

Our coffee program focuses on quality over quantity. In the original Mom ‘n ’em, we felt that offering a small menu of spectacular coffee offerings would yield a more consistent and enjoyable experience. We are constantly training all of our baristas to keep up with the ever-changing industry. We will have a fully capable kitchen, offering extended food offerings compared to the original shop. Alongside that, there is ample seating to enjoy a gibraltar, post up, and knock out some work, or catch up with a friend! We have a vast and unique selection of wines to offer, varying widely in price, region, variety, and rarity.

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The build-out is truly special, it’s draws inspiration from mid-century and art deco styles, while still keeping the cozy feeling of the original Mom ‘n ’em. When you walk in, we want you to escape Cincinnati, almost like a hidden oasis.

What’s your approach to coffee?

Simple and refined. We have a small menu, and offer one coffee as espresso, and one coffee as drip. We take a lot of pride in delivering a high-quality and consistent product.

Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?

We’re utilizing Curtis brewers, Mahlkönig grinders, and a three-group La Marzocco Strada!

How is your project considering sustainability?

All of our take-away packaging and cups are 100% compostable. They always have been, and always will be. We partner with Local Compost, a small business based in the Greater-Cincinnati area. Any and all food waste that can be composted will be composted. We have dedicated trash receptacles for trash, compost, and recycling for our guests so they too can help keep our carbon footprint small.

Alongside composting everything, we take care of our own herb and vegetable gardens, and also support community gardens to offer products we’ve grown in our dishes.

We partner exclusively with local farmers and producers to keep our dishes seasonal, fresh, and made with care in mind.