This July, Downtown Delaware is celebrating a milestone with one of its beloved gathering places. Fresh Start Cafe & Bakery is proudly marking 10 years in business, celebrating a decade of homemade goodness, warm hospitality, and community connections.
For owners Todd and Leigh Daughenbaugh, opening Fresh Start Cafe & Bakery in 2016 wasn’t just about starting a business, it was about creating a new chapter.
. 
After years spent working in Accounting & Finance and commuting to Downtown Columbus every day, Todd was ready for a change. He wanted to build something meaningful in the community he called home. Around the same time, the closing of Buehler’s bakery left a noticeable gap in Delaware, creating an opportunity to bring fresh, made-from-scratch baked goods back to town. “Fresh Start” became more than just the name of the business, it became the inspiration behind it. And the timing couldn’t have been better! Downtown Delaware was experiencing a renaissance, with historic storefronts being revitalized and new businesses bringing fresh energy to the district. Todd and Leigh saw the chance to become part of that transformation, and ultimately helped shape the vibrant downtown we know today.
Since opening its doors, Fresh Start Cafe & Bakery has become a destination for locals and visitors alike. Guests are welcomed with made-from-scratch pastries, cakes, cookies, desserts, handcrafted sandwiches, and a full-service coffee and espresso bar. The café is also home to the Olivina line of premium extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars, offering customers another unique culinary experience.
What has made Fresh Start a favorite over the past decade isn’t just the menu – it’s the commitment to quality. From carefully selected ingredients to every item being made from scratch or prepared to order, Todd, Leigh, and their entire team have built a reputation for exceptional food paired with genuine hospitality. Whether you’re stopping in for your morning coffee, meeting with friends, grabbing lunch, or picking up treats for a special celebration, Fresh Start has become a place where connections happen. The café also offers customized catering options for meetings, events, and celebrations, making it easy to bring a little Fresh Start to any occasion.
When asked what they enjoy most about being part of Downtown Delaware, Todd pointed to the collaboration among fellow business owners, the community events that bring people together, and the nostalgic, Hallmark-like atmosphere that makes downtown so special.
As Fresh Start Cafe & Bakery celebrates 10 years, it’s also celebrating the countless customers, neighbors, and supporters who have made the journey possible. Their continued support has helped transform one entrepreneur’s “fresh start” into a downtown institution.
Congratulations to Todd, Leigh and the entire Fresh Start Cafe & Bakery team on 10 incredible years! Here’s to many more years of delicious baked goods, great coffee, meaningful conversations, and serving the Downtown Delaware community.
Visit Fresh Start Cafe & Bakery
📍 Downtown Delaware, Ohio
🌐 www.FreshStartCafeAndBakery.com
📱 Follow along on Facebook & Instagram: @FreshStartCafeAndBakery
