A local haven to reconnect, relax, and relish ‘the good stuff'
Where can you enjoy a decadent gluten-free cinnamon roll, lounge on a velvet antique couch, and sip on a mug of coffee all day with friends for just $4? Stop by the Cozy Cabin Café in St. Henry to experience a “home away from home” – a haven where you can get lost in time and relax.
“It’s just cozy here! We don’t know how else to explain it.”
That’s how the mother-daughter duo, Deborah Mertz and Darcy Loshe (both Midwest Electric members), describe their locally owned and operated small business. They, along with their husbands, Joseph Mertz and Kyle Loshe, designed, built, and run the café with a focus on wellness and comfort, catering to busy families with kids and the area’s growing remote workforce. Book clubs and mom’s groups frequent the café often, camping out for hours in the reading and game nook.
“People forget they’re in St. Henry when they come in,” Darcy says, as she recalls their grand opening back in November 2021. “Especially around Christmastime, it was magical. People are in awe because, with our décor, it truly felt like a cozy cabin where they could escape and reconnect face to face.”
Ask about their interior design, and you’ll find everything has meaning: the blackboard menu is from the old St. Henry High School, the wagon wheel rolled in from Darcy’s wedding, and several eclectic pieces were bargain finds from the 127 Yard Sales. Most of the furniture, tables, and counter are handmade; the café was a labor of love made possible with the help of local contractors, companies, friends, and family.
Deb may be “retired” from her nursing home job, but she doesn’t know what slowing down means. She also owns the plaza next door with three other shops, running a 5 am aerobics class at Totally Fit, helping hang clothes at the Fit & Cozy Boutique, and shaking up orders at the Cozy Cabin Café. Can you tell “cozy” and “fit” are themes of her lifestyle?
“Having to abide by a limited diet is hard,” Deb says. “But that’s what makes Cozy Cabin so unique. Much of our menu can be prepared gluten and dairy free, but we don’t feel like a standard ‘healthy’ shop. We are a place you can feel cozy and comfortable in. Blending those two identities was important to me.”
Darcy works full-time at Darke County Vet Service but handles all payroll and scheduling of their 12 employees – many of whom are high schoolers and college students, thanks to their flexible shifts. The community has been receptive of the café from the start, so Darcy makes it a priority to give back.
“Softball has always been my thing, so we sponsor the annual beer league softball team for St. Henry,” Darcy says. “We just can’t get enough of Mercer County. It’s a great place to live and work because we all have each other’s backs. You can’t get by these days without community support.”
One reason the café thrives is due to Deb and Darcy’s tight-knit relationship. Darcy and her husband Kyle are currently building their new home next door to Deb and her stepdad.
“I’m dedicated to this venture because it’s something I get to do with my mom,” Darcy says, smiling. “Life is short. I wanted to be part of this community with her and invest in something we could both be passionate about.”
Another bond the ladies share is motorcycle riding. Though Darcy doesn’t ride much with her young family, Deb loves taking a cruise on her 1981 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead. It’s no surprise that the café is a stop on the summer Ride ‘N’ Roll dice run, with passport stamps available in Columbus, Cleveland, and Sandusky.
“You’d be surprised how many people from all over we get in here,” Deb says. “…and I love talking to them all! I have always worked as a waitress or bartender, so I enjoy meeting new people and hearing their stories. I welcome anyone to stop by and say hello – depending on your schedule, we’ll have a real mug or a to-go cup waiting for you!”
Try their all-natural fruit smoothies, build-your-own protein bowls with lettuce and quinoa, or a popular chipotle chicken or tuna lunch melt. They serve breakfast, pastries, and cookies all day long, and kids meals are just $5. For a steamy festive drink, try the pecan pie, pumpkin spice, or autumn harvest latte.
If you’re coming with friends or looking to get some serious work done, ask about their $4 “Cozy-Up Mug,” available for bottomless refills of drip coffee until closing time.
Trust us… they won’t kick you out.
Cozy Cabin Café is located at 571 S Eastern Avenue, St. Henry, Ohio. They are open Monday through Wednesday from 5:30 am to 2 pm, Thursday and Friday from 5:30 am to 4:30 pm, Saturday from 7:30 am to 2 pm, and Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm. Learn more or see a menu on Facebook or Instagram @CozyCabinCafe. To place a pick-up order by phone, call 419-763-5282.