a Owner Jimmy Hooper not just surviving the COVID, pandemic, he’s committed to thriving
By Chuck Gibson (Information for this story was provided by Hometown Cafe news release)
LOVELAND, OH (March 22, 2021) – Jimmy Hooper, owner of Hometown Cafe alongside the Scenic Little Miami River Trail in Loveland, Ohio has doubled down on a committment to a thriving business in the community.
Jimmy Hooper at the counter inside his newly purchased building home to Hometown Cafe in Loveland, Ohio (Provided)
During a pandemic crisis which has seen restaurants all across the nation hardest hit with “Business Insider (online) reporting 17 -percent of them closing permanently, Jimmy Hooper has purchased the building inhabited by his Hometown Cafe business. While so many sad tales of jobs lost and businesses closed, Hooper’s story is an amazing beacon of light and hope right in our hometowon of Loveland.
“It’s been really amazing,” said Hooper. “Ever since indoor dining opened up, we’ve beat our sales from the previous year every month.”
Hooper says several factors have contributed to the increase in sales. He cites the important roled the support of the community has played in thriving beyond surviving during the crisis of these past 12 months and beyond.
“The historic downtown Loveland area is full of small, locally owned businesses,” Hooper said. “Our community is already used to shopping local. That support really ratcheted up throughout the pandemic.”
A view of the Hometown Cafe patio in Loveland, Ohio (Provided)
Like so many other businesses, Hometown Cafe had to find a way to stay open and continue to serve customers with COVID-19 restrictions and limits. Hometown pivoted offering several pre-order options including brunch-in-a-box, painting kits with charcuterie and a Thanksgiving meal for two.
“The response to the pre-order options we’ve offered has exceeded expectations,” said Hooper. “It really helped to make it possible to cover our expenses.”
Having the large patio situated right on the Loveland Bike Trail certainly helps. It fit in perfectly for families looking for ways to get out and enjoy nature while they were unable to travel and working from home. With the addition of more picinic tables by the city in nearby Nisbet Park, Hometown’s quick and casual approach made it easy for people to order food to-go and enjoy the outdoors.
Jimmy Hooper at the register in Hometown Cafe where he is committed to customers, the community and thriving sales now and into the future (Provided)
Hooper pouring a latte (Provided)
It wasn’t quite a walk in the park for Hooper and Hometown Cafe. There were obvious rough spots along the way.
“During the lock down last March, things were rough,” Hooper said. “All our event rental and catering business came to a halt. There were days when we’d only have two customers. Fortunately, our landlord waived our rent for a couple months. That truly made the difference and allowed us to get through the toughest time.”
As restrictions loosened customers came back and the business improved.
“The Beast” – a customer favorite at Hometown Cafe in Loveland, Ohio (Provided)
As things continue to take a turn for the better with vaccines and hopes for a return to a more normal lifestyle, Hooper expects to see his event rental and catering business pick up. Purchasing the building has Jimmy Hooper excited about what’s next for Hometown.
“This gives me flexibility to invest in some updates to the layout and experiment with new offerings.” he said.
Hometown Cafe is located at: 111 Railroad Ave, Loveland, OH 45140
Hometown phone: 513-677-2600
All About Hometown Café
Hometown Café opened in 2019 and is located at 111 Railroad Ave, Loveland, OH 45140. Hours are 8am-3pm seven days a week. Customers can savor coffee and espresso brewed with locally roasted Deeper Roots beans and enjoy made-to-order breakfast sandwiches. Cyclists, runners and walkers coming off the trail can refuel with a real fruit and veggie smoothie or cold pressed juice and fill up with from-scratch soup, salad, or a wrap. The cafe is stocked with local treats, snacks and products like honey, granola, jam and energy bars & bites. Kitchen rental is available for makers who need a commercial kitchen to produce their goods. After the café closes, Hometown holds special events like kitchen takeovers and is available for event rental.
