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.

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Ohio University alumna follows coffee shop dream to Albany, Ohio.

BY JOSIE DONOHUE | PHOTOS BY JACOB DURBIN | DESIGN BY ELLIE SABATINO

Aquiet yet inviting study spot can be exactly what students need to feel comfortable at OU and get into a personal 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 coffee shop. For fans of the latter, Threefold Roasters in Albany, Ohio is the perfect spot to hang out and grab a drink or sweet.

Threefold Roasters, opened in December 2021, is co-owned and operated by McKenzie Yazdani and her husband. Yazdani is an Athens native and Ohio University alumni who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education in 2019 and a master’s in curriculum and instruction in 2020. While she has a passion for teaching, she says she’s always dreamt 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 up the street. They liked it even more and got the keys the same day.

Yazdani says despite making plans and beginning the business during the pandemic, the startup process went very 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,” she says.

When asked about her favorite part of the business, she says the customers and coworkers make her experience special.

“I love to love people,” Yazdani says. “I love to get to know everyone’s story and that starts with the customer. Something I made a priority in our business from the start was our customer service because we are such a small town; we are going to get to know everybody.”

She has a heart for the people who work and visit the shop, and she says it’s important for her to build relationships with them. Karen Olbers Bright, a frequent customer, says between her daughter, husband and herself, their family comes to Threefold Roasters up to five times a week.

“When we knew they were opening a business, we really wanted to be very supportive,” Olbers Bright says. They are very excited to have a coffee shop available on their side of town.

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 she also appreciates the communal aspect of the business, and the menu options are good.

“It’s really nice to have a business here. It’s local, convenient, excellent product, excellent service [and they’re] doing a lot in the community”

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 it has a unique story.

The brand, Charlie Joe Chai, is owned by a friend of the Yazdani’s who donates 1/3 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.

Views inside Threefold Roasters.

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 unique 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 someday the company would like 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; they take care of you,” Truax says. “I know people’s drinks when they come in and certain customers; they’re all just so friendly.”

Threefold Roasters is open every day except Sunday and welcomes everyone who needs a calm environment to work or chat. Located at 5281 Washington Road, the store is in the heart of Albany, providing a community center for the town.

“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, you see so much of division. 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.”b

“It’s really nice to have a business here. It’s local, convenient, excellent, and doing a lot for the community.”