Owning a café was a life-long dream of John Emerman’s that has successfully become a reality. Emerman opened a bread company on the corner of Lee and Meadowbrook back in 1995. Thirteen years later, the Stone Oven has expanded both its product and its location, not to mention its loyal customers.

This little bread company quickly became more as customer demands for soups and sandwiches led to the present inclusive menu. Due to increased business, Emerman opened a bakery factory downtown. There, the Stone Oven not only delivers to their café, but also to other local restaurants and supermarkets. It was one of the first businesses in Cleveland to be categorized as a bakery café, presenting a coffee shop, bakery and a restaurant under the same roof.

The Stone Oven carries at least fourteen varieties of bread, from basic Italian to specialty breads such as walnut raisin, asagio cheese, and the very popular Miller’s Multi Grain. Emerman seeks to create a European atmosphere by including bread with every meal. His goal is to redefine bread for Americans who were raised on white packaged bread. The Stone Oven was the first in Cleveland to offer artisan bread: hand shaped loaves, baked with a slow fermentation and slow rise, adding a unique flavor and deep crusts.

Emerman says he truly enjoys the variety of day-to-day tasks associated with his business. He handles all aspects of the café, from payroll to marketing, menu design to the hiring of employees. While he loves his work, his job is endless, and he continues to invest all his time and effort towards the company.

The ambiance of the Stone Oven is casual, and attracts an assortment of customers. Not only can people come to choose from a wide selection of lunches and pastries, but they can also enjoy a place to read, study, or just enjoy the soothing jazz music and the decorations, including a beautiful mural by a local artist. The Stone Oven is also known as a community-based center, serving as a meeting place for clubs and groups. Also an asset to the business is an outside patio fit for summer and WI-FI access.

Emerman likes his location because there are other locally owned businesses surrounding him. He enjoys the proximity to residential areas, adding that allowing people to leave their homes and walk to his restaurant and surrounding locations forces them to meet one another, which “fosters a sense of community that just doesn’t exist in a lot of cities.” He thanks those who have supported the Stone Oven over the years, and states, “For those who haven’t visited the Stone Oven yet, I am certain that once you come in to taste our breads, sample some pasties, and try our soup, you will return for more very shortly.”

“It’s really important for people to support locally-owned businesses,” says Emerman. With many cities giving way to chain restaurants and companies, he feels it is becoming even more difficult for local businesses to compete. He insists that small businesses like his own offer a more personal connection than big box businesses.

“When you spend at a locally-owned business, it’s more than just buying goods and services. You feel rewarded because you know that you’re supporting your community.”

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