About Us

About The Meeting Place on Market

The Meeting Place on Market opened its doors in May 2003 in the heart of downtown Lima, Ohio, with a simple but powerful vision: to create a welcoming space where people could gather, connect, and belong.

Founded by Jennifer & Kevin Brogee and Greg & Ruth Ann Stover, the café grew from a long-held dream and years of planning into a thriving community hub. What began as a local coffee shop quickly became known for more than just great coffee — it became a place where conversations sparked, friendships formed, and creativity flourished.

Over the years, The Meeting Place has weathered challenges like the Great Recession and the pandemic, adapting through resilience and innovation. Today, it’s not only a café but also a bakery, a coworking center, and the home of a creative gift box business that ships joy far beyond Lima.

Through every chapter, one thing has remained the same: people come first. The Meeting Place on Market continues to serve with quality, creativity, and care, offering more than coffee — it offers community.

National Finalist for Women-Owned Business of the Year by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

In 2022, we celebrated national recognition! We were one of four finalists invited to Washington D.C. to participate in the Dream Big Awards. Learn about our journey to the national awards here.

"Can Social Entrepreneurship Work in the Rust Belt?" Published by Lived Places Publishing; Tells the Story of the Meeting Place on Market

Jennifer wrote a book about her journey to launch The Meeting Place on Market as a young mom in a declining downtown and it was published by Lived Places Publishing as part of their Emerging Entrepreneurs collection. Learn more about her book here.

Mission

Vision

Values

Relationships

As we help others connect with each other, we emphasize healthy relationships and work-life balance. We recognize that everyone is created in the image of God with inherent dignity and value and treat each other with respect.

Sustainability

We believe that we are stewards of this earth and have the responsibility to take care of it. We look for sustainable products and processes that do not harm our environment.

Community

In our efforts to serve and support the community, we partner with our stakeholders – customers, investors, employees, suppliers, and local institutions to provide goods and services.

Integrity

We are honest and transparent in all areas of business. We acknowledge mistakes and make them right. We make ethical decisions.

Creativity

We create products and services that are innovative. We foster an environment of creativity by trying new ideas, celebrating successes, and viewing failures as learning experiences. We continually seek new ways to serve our customers.

Because coffee is more than a drink, it's an experience...