Today, she loves sharing life milestones with her customers at Kava Haus in Xenia, located at 29 E. Main St.
Credit: Natalie Jones
Credit: Natalie Jones
Setting her up for success
Smedley grew up in the Clarksville area on 15 acres with a couple of gardens and chickens. Her parents worked full time in the healthcare industry, so she spent time a lot of time with her grandparents.
“From a very young age it was instilled in us when you’re a hard worker, it pays off,” Smedley said.
She recalled planting vegetables in their garden, picking the produce and canning — learning the true meaning of “the fruits of your labours.”
Because her parents were in the healthcare industry, they were always taking care of people and doing what they could for others. This created a nurturing environment for Smedley to grow up in.
She credits her parents and grandparents for setting her up for success.
Hard work pays off
At 14 years old, Smedley really wanted to have a job and the only place that would hire at a young age near her was the Caesar Creek Flea Market. She worked in the main food area and the ice cream parlor for nearly two years before getting a job at Skyline in Wilmington, where she worked throughout high school.
After graduating from Clinton-Massie High School in 2017, she was looking for another part time job before she went to college at American Public University to study emergency and disaster management.
That’s where Kava Haus in Wilmington came into the picture. She worked there part-time throughout college and continued to pick up shifts when she started working full time with a disaster relief organization.
When Brad and Tricia Heys, the founders of Kava Haus, were opening a second location in Xenia in 2022, they wanted Smedley to run it.
She recalled Brad mentioning to her that “this could all be yours one day,” but Smedley thought he was joking. Upon further thought, she realized it could be her new reality.
“This was too good of a deal to pass up. No one is going to invest in me like Brad has,” Smedley said.
She took ownership of the Xenia location in January 2024 and says she hopes to make the Heys family proud.
“I couldn’t be happier owning my own business,“ Smedley said. ”It’s the coolest thing.”
What to expect at Kava Haus
Kava Haus is a cafe featuring coffee, made from scratch scones and artisan-style breakfast and lunch items.
The coffee program features beans roasted by the founders of Kava Haus and a wide selection of beverages such as drip coffee, lattes, cafe mochas, flat whites, cappuccinos, americanos, frappes, espresso and cold brew. Chai, loose leaf tea, matcha, boba, frozen lemonades, Italian sodas and smoothies are also available.
Credit: Natalie Jones
Credit: Natalie Jones
Kava Haus uses Ghirardelli sauces and DaVinci syrups, in addition to customer’s choice of milk including whole, fat free, almond, oat or coconut. The whole menu is customizable.
Baristas have the creative liberty of making new drinks. For example, Smedley had a drink in Florida with honey, vanilla and cinnamon in it that she really enjoyed, so she came back and introduced the Honey Badger Haus Special.
Breakfast is served until 11 a.m. daily featuring breakfast sandwiches made on homemade bread, two-egg omelets and Belgian-style waffles served with a homemade whipped maple butter. The cafe also has breakfast pizza and biscuits and gravy on Saturdays, as well as avocado toast and French toast specials.
Credit: Natalie Jones
Credit: Natalie Jones
Lunch follows with sandwiches, pizza, pizza bowls, calzones or salads.
The pizza dough is made with the same dough that is used for the sandwich bread. The only difference, is the way they stretch it.
Everything is made to order. Gluten-free and vegan options are available.
A well-rounded meal
Something new they’ve introduced this year is the “balance menu” allowing customers to order a well-rounded meal that hits all five food groups.
“It’s taking options that we already have and pairing them together where you’re hitting all of those food groups, so you’re going to be full,” Smedley said. “You’re going to feel good.”
General Manager Kelly Bolin, who has a degree in nutrition, helped set this up.
For those who order a breakfast sandwich and a coffee, fresh fruit or a smoothie can be added to create a well-rounded meal.
Credit: Natalie Jones
Credit: Natalie Jones
For those who want a convenience option, Kava Haus offers energy bites and fresh fruit for people to grab on the go.
First-timers
Smedley recommends trying an iced cookie butter latte with a breakfast sandwich featuring sausage, sauteed peppers and onions, mozzarella cheese and an egg.
For lunch, she recommends a strawberry boba lemonade with a Hawaiian pizza. People who don’t like pineapple on pizza can try The Meats featuring Italian sausage, pepperoni, ham, bacon and mozzarella cheese.
The cafe has specials everyday for breakfast and lunch posted via social media. Scone flavors change daily.
Credit: Natalie Jones
Credit: Natalie Jones
Kava Haus features a warm and cozy vibe for customers to sit down and eat or you can grab something quick on the go.
New additions coming soon to the cafe includes a private outdoor patio area with seating in the back of the building and farm fresh eggs to be used during breakfast. Smedley is planning to once again partner with The Dairy Station on affogatos.
“We just do stuff differently,” Smedley said. “It’s not just your run of the mill coffee shop.”
MORE DETAILS
The cafe is open 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Free parking is available in the front and back of the cafe.
The space is available for rent after hours. Catering is available as well.
For more information, visit kavahausxenia.wixsite.com or the cafe’s Facebook or Instagram pages (@kavahausxenia).
FOOD & DINING NEWS
Reporter Natalie Jones has a weekly food and dining email newsletter that comes free to inboxes. Sign up at daytondailynews.com (click “my account”). Have questions or a news tip? Email her at natalie.jones@coxinc.com.
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