Toasted on the Square has opened in New Philadelphia

A vacation in Key West was the inspiration for Melissa Waller to open the new Toasted on the Square café in New Philadelphia.

"When we went on vacation, and there was this cool spot that you could just get fun drinks and it had fun vibes,” Waller said. “And then we got home from vacation, and this place was for rent.”

Waller’s mother and stepfather are the current owners of Rod’s Donut Shop in Uhrichsville, and she has gained much experience in the business.

“I've done the serving, I've done the dishes, I've done the payroll, I've done kind of everything I could do to help them,” Waller said.

When it comes to Toasted, Waller has put the things she likes into the business, including an assortment of Rod’s Donuts’ baked goods.

“My favorite things are the doughnuts, the soups and the bread bowls, the salads, the bagels, basically carbs and sugar, and the coffee. It’s just all the things that I like, or my daughter likes,” Waller said. The shop also sells soft pretzels and pretzel nuggets.

They have created a menu of non-alcoholic specialty drinks including signature energy drinks which contain the popular Alani brand energy drinks mixed with flavored syrups, half and half and with flavored foams on top.

They also have signature sodas including a Dirty Dr. Pepper with coconut syrup, and a splash of cream or a Key Lime Pie drink with Mountain Dew, coconut syrup, lime juice and cream.

Waller described the drinks as fun and Toasted sometimes adds an unexpected ingredient.

“We have lime cotton candy that we can put on top of the drinks, and we just make them look cute,” Waller said.

Signature cold brewed coffees come in vanilla and salted caramel flavors.

For the 21 and over crowd, Toasted serves sangria, mimosas, wine, beermosas, beer and seltzers.

Waller wants Toasted to be a fun place for all and sees the business as one that blends generations together.

"I want it to be a place where people want to, whether it's teenagers or adults, come and hang out, whether to have a mimosa or have a Dirty Alani," Waller said. “I've noticed the older generation coming in and they're enjoying it too.”

Some customers have already become regulars.

Waller wants the same light and carefree atmosphere for her employees that her customers experience.

"I don't even want it to be work for them, like we're hanging out and living our best lives, making drinks and just having fun,” Waller said.

The brightness of the corner shop with the large window at the south side of the building is another plus. Toasted is located at 101 West High Avenue directly across from the west side of the courthouse. Waller has received much positive feedback since she opened the shop May 16.

"Everyone that comes by is just like, this is great,” Waller said.

She is looking forward to community events downtown. The business is in a great location for people to purchase snacks and drinks, especially with the DORA in downtown New Philadelphia.

Toasted has already organized a fundraiser by hosting a yoga event on the square in front of the store with participant donations going to the Fostering the Love organization.

"I love the fact of being able to give back to the community, like we did with the yoga,” Waller said. “I would love to do more events like that and help other small businesses.”

The shop hosted a local permanent jewelry artist the same day they had the yoga fundraiser.

“We would like to have small events in here for people that are looking to expand their businesses, where we can work with each other, people can have a drink, have a coffee, and we could be doing an event,” Waller said.

Waller is grateful that other New Philadelphia businesses have been helpful and supportive of the new café.

For more information and shop hours visit Toasted on the Square on Facebook.