New Coffee Shop to Offer Elegance, Comfort at Lee and Van Aken

Gimme Java owner Albert Plummer absolutely gushes when asked about his "upscale, elegant, but extremely comfortable" coffee shop, slated to open this summer at Lee and Van Aken. And it's hard not to get excited about the shop when talking to Plummer, who peppers his description of the shop with "my dears" and talk of rays of sunshine. "Shaker Heights is going through a renaissance as far as trying to lure new businesses," he said. "This has just been a dream of ours for some time, and we've just been welcomed with open arms by the city of Shaker Heights." Plummer said he has completely renovated the space that adding new ceilings, lighting and a fireplace. "It's going to be absolutely delightful and gorgeous," said Plummer. The shop will serve coffee from Columbus company Krimson Cup, cannolis and cheesecake from local bakeries, breakfast sandwiches, gourmet macaroons (from the popular New York shop Danny Macaroons) and gluten-free options. Plummer has been in the restaurant business for 21 years and owned a bakery about ten years ago, he said. He's from East Orange, N.J. but has lived in Ohio off and on for about 16 years. He's opening Gimme Java with Joann Dipasquale, who has worked in the food industry for years as the daughter of Holiday Sausage's founder.