Family Bets Savings on Century-Old Dayton Gas Station to Build Community

Elliott Coffee has opened in a 100-year-old gas station and mechanic shop on a bend in the Ohio River in Dayton, Kentucky.

The founders, Isabelle, Asa, and Elijah Knapp, established the business in 2024. The location sits about 10 minutes from downtown Cincinnati. The structure previously served as a fueling point and repair shop for the local area.

Elijah Knapp said the team aims to recreate a sense of small-town American community that has largely disappeared. He noted that residents often miss a space that feels unique to their specific area. The menu features specialty coffees from roasters in Edinburgh, Scotland, Los Angeles, and Central America. Knapp views the service as a way to honor the labor involved in growing, processing, shipping, and roasting beans. He described the approach as an effort to respect the product rather than compete on price.

The owners took a financial risk to start the venture. Knapp left a career in software to launch the cafe while his wife worked as a nurse. The couple learned they were expecting a child shortly after signing the lease. Knapp said the family has been fortunate to have neighbors show up in droves to support the new business. He attributed this support to a desire for connection and relationship in a world that often prioritizes speed.

Customers regularly form lines outside the cafe, sometimes stretching around the block. Knapp said waiting has become part of the experience for many visitors. He described the morning routine of a dog walker grabbing a cup and walking home as a unique element that cannot be recreated elsewhere. He acknowledged the experience may cost more and take longer than a typical stop. He said customers can still walk away feeling it was a great experience.