T-R PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER General Manager Beau Wills poses with a fresh drink in front of the counter at Holy Grounds Coffee’s new Toledo location.

TOLEDO — The new Holy Grounds coffee shop in Toledo is officially open, bringing a mix of fresh flavors, faith, and community focus to the area. The location marks an expansion of the Holy Grounds brand, which first began operating earlier this year in Marshalltown.

Located at 100 W. High St. in Toledo, Holy Grounds offers a full menu of espresso drinks, breakfast items, and specialty beverages in a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. The shop is open Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays.

General Manager Beau Wills has been part of the company since its start and now oversees day-to-day operations in Toledo. He said the business was founded by Steve Slifer and Matt Wilder with a goal of building strong connections in every community where they set up shop. “Our main goal is to be integrated into the community,” Wills said. “One of our mottos is giving back to the community one cup at a time.”

The Toledo location reflects that approach. Inside the shop, one room is being developed as a public conference space that community members will be able to reserve for small gatherings, birthdays, and other events. Another space is being turned into a play and activity room to keep kids busy while their families enjoy coffee. “We want people to feel safe here,” Wills said. “Like a home away from home.”

Holy Grounds sources its coffee beans from Guatemala, which are then roasted in Michigan before arriving in Iowa. The menu includes popular breakfast options such as croissant sandwiches and mini pancakes. Wills said the s’mores and “unicorn” pancakes are customer favorites, along with the sausage, egg, and cheese croissants that “fly out of the kitchen.”

Business has been steady since opening, with between 60 and 80 orders on a typical weekday and busy mornings filled with teachers, first responders, and other regulars.

“I’m already on a first-name basis with a lot of them,” Wills said. “I look forward to coming in every day.”

The shop also employs local high school students and is currently hiring additional staff as it continues to grow. Wills said his management background — nearly two decades in the restaurant industry — helped prepare him to lead the new store.

“I just want to see the company grow and the community happy,” he said.

Faith is an open part of Holy Grounds’ identity. The business describes itself as a Christian company and offers a weekly Bible study at 7 p.m. on Sundays. Décor and signage throughout the space will feature inspirational Bible verses as the building continues to take shape.

Customers can enjoy free Wi-Fi throughout the shop, and Wills said the menu will soon expand with new specialty beverages, including chai, matcha, and frappes once the remaining equipment arrives. Holy Grounds Toledo also serves energy drinks and Lotus-based refreshments that have quickly become local favorites.

The business shares connections with other ventures tied to the owners, including Family Graphics and 641 Nutrition, which operates near the Marshalltown location. Holy Grounds also donates coffee and volunteer time for local causes and church events, such as St. Henry’s in Marshalltown.

For Wills, the long hours are rewarding.

“I go home, I sleep well at night because I have a good job and I take care of people,” he said. “People are happy, so that makes it worth it.”