A new cafe concept called Begin Cafe is preparing to open its first storefront in Uptown Westerville, located at 8 E. Main Street.
This is the latest from Mike and Kayla Tompkins, the former being a music producer turned YouTube influencer, according to Columbus Monthly. Kayla Tompkins tells What Now Columbus that construction is nearly finished, and Begin Cafe is expected to open in Spring 2025, offering a variety of coffee and tea options, a handful of pastries, and even an egg sandwich. The Tompkins hope that Begin Cafe will become a community gathering spot, and they are excited to contribute to the local area’s success.
The idea for Begin Cafe emerged after the couple traveled the world while touring with artists like the Jonas Brothers and Lindsey Stirling. Their experiences in countries such as Australia and New Zealand influenced Kayla’s love for coffee and Europe, which left an impression on Mike and sparked the desire to create a welcoming space. After visiting numerous cafes, they envisioned a place where people could connect, meet others, or work on projects. The pandemic’s impact on social interactions motivated them to create an environment that promotes togetherness. Kayla describes the atmosphere of Begin Cafe to What Now Columbus as “a giant warm hug”—a true extension of their home.
“For the last decade the founders have been fortunate enough to travel the world and explore many different environments that allowed them to experience a variety of food and drink,” according to the Begin Cafe website. “From the corners of New Zealand to their hometown in Canada, they are excited to share parts of it all with the local community. Mike and Kayla Tompkins met in high school in a small town in Ontario, Canada, and have been creating beautiful things together that they are passionate about, and this next one is their greatest endeavor.”
