Espresso Air began as a small coffee shop inside a four hundred square foot space in the historic lobby of Hotel Holmes. The shop was originally created by a husband and wife team, an airline pilot and an artist, who built the brand around their shared love of aviation, travel, and espresso. That spirit is where the name Espresso Air was born.
Espresso Air is now bringing that same family rooted vision to a second location at 34 S. Sandusky St. in Delaware, expanding beyond Westerville while staying grounded in the values that built the brand from the start.
Before Espresso Air became what it is today, the space briefly housed other coffee concepts. In 2018, the opportunity to take over the shop came at a pivotal moment. At the same time, Tulip Cafe, run by the owner’s mother and her business partner, was supplying baklava and specialty items to the café. They did not yet have a brick and mortar location, and the existing space, while beautiful, lacked a kitchen, making the offer impractical.
Then came the leap of faith. The owner’s father accepted the opportunity without hesitation, a decision that would change the entire family’s future. At just twenty one, a college dropout with little direction, the owner found purpose through coffee. What began as a chance quickly turned into a passion for the science of espresso, roasting, and craftsmanship. With time, investment, and persistence, the business grew.
Now in its fourth year under current ownership, Espresso Air is rooted in family and community. It belongs to the owner, his wife Ela, their newborn daughter, his siblings Hasan and Eslem, his late brother Alper, and his parents Hatice and Ali. Just as importantly, it belongs to the customers who have become friends and family along the way.
Espresso Air is not just a coffee shop. It is a shared story, built by family, shaped by community, and fueled by the belief that even the smallest spaces can change lives.
