Brewing Up Community
Story by Josie Donohue
Photos by Jacob Durbin
Ohio University alumna follows coffee shop dream to Albany, Ohio
Employees of Threefold Roasters gather around a display of branded products. Left to right: Zachery Adkins, Micah Adkins, McKenzie Jones, Kailey Cozort.
A quiet yet inviting study spot can be exactly what students need to feel comfortable at Ohio University and get into a groove to get work done. Some may enjoy quiet solitude surrounded by books in the library, whereas some might enjoy some light background noise of chattering and the rich aroma of a coffeeshop. For fans of the latter, Threefold Roasters in Albany is the perfect spot to hang out and grab a drink or sweet.
Threefold Roasters, which opened in December 2021, is co-owned and operated by McKenzie Yazdani and her husband, Josiah. Yazdani is from Albany and an Ohio University alumna who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education in 2019 and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction in 2020. While she has a passion for teaching, Yazdani says she has always dreamed of opening a coffee shop.
The Yazdani’s originally planned to set up shop in what was previously known as John’s Barbershop on Washington Street in Albany. They visited the location and had full intentions of putting the coffee shop there, but a friend ended up telling them about a different location just up the street. They liked it even more and got the keys the same day.
Yazdani says despite making plans and starting the business during COVID-19, the process went smoothly.
“We had amazing people that surrounded us and lifted us up in the community and helped that process go way smoother than I think it should have been,” Yazdani says.
A drink option menu board is displayed on the counter at Threefold Roasters.
When asked about her favorite part of the business, Yazdani says the customers and coworkers make her experience special.
“I love to love people,” Yazdani says. “I love to get to know people and everyone’s story and that starts with our customers. Something that I made a priority in our business from the start was our customer service. We are such a small town that we are going to get to know everybody.”
Yazdani has a particular place in her heart for the people who work and visit the shop, and she says it is important to build relationships with them. Karen Olbers Bright, a frequent customer, says among her daughter, husband and herself, their family visits Threefold Roasters up to four or five times a week. They are very excited to have a coffee shop available on their side of town.
“When we knew they were opening a business, we really wanted to be very supportive,” Olbers Bright says.
Olbers Bright says she sees people at Threefold studying, hanging out and having meetings or Bible studies. She has known the Yazdani’s for years, but Olbers Bright also appreciates the communal aspect of the business and the menu options.
“It is really nice to have a business here. [It is] local, convenient, excellent product, excellent service [and they’re] doing a lot in the community.”
The counter where customers can order from Threefold Roasters.
Olbers Bright’s favorite drink on the menu is a specialty chai, which she requests with half spice and half vanilla. Yazdani says the chai at Threefold is popular and has a unique story.
The brand, Charlie Joe Chai, is owned by a friend of the Yazdani’s who donates one-third of the proceeds to a nonprofit called Life for the Innocent, which aids in child trafficking prevention in India. Yazdani appreciates that this brand supports the community and beyond.
Serving up the chai drinks and more as head barista is Connor Truax, a 2020 graduate of Alexander High School and junior studying business at OU.
Items on the menu range from coffee flights, herbal and chai teas, loaded gourmet milkshakes and more. Yazdani is proud of their new milkshakes and has featured flavors such as buttercup shakeup, cookies and cream and brownie batter. Current seasonal items on the menu are pumpkin cream cold brew and pumpkin cream chai. Yazdani says that someday the company hopes to expand into sandwiches, soups and salads.
Truax says he considers the team of employees for Threefold Roasters a family. He enjoys the strong leadership of the Yazdani’s and values the interactions he has with customers.
“McKenzie and Josiah are just great bosses,” Truax says. “They take care of you. I know people’s drinks when they come in and certain customers and they’re all just so friendly.”
Threefold Roasters is open every day from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The shop is closed on Sundays and anyone who needs a calm environment to work or chat is welcome. Located at 5281 Washington Rd., the store is in the heart of Albany, providing a community center for the town.
The view inside Threefold Roasters
“Our dream and our hope from the beginning, and still is, for the coffee shop to be a place to unite,” Yazdani says. “When you look around right now, we see so much division among everybody. We wanted to provide our community with a space that no matter what you believe, no matter how you feel that you come in, you feel loved and you feel wanted.”