Common Grounds has been a treasured staple in town for 10 years.
When new owners Josh Evans and Chris Donnelly took over the business in July 2023, their intent was simple: continue the quality and standards established by the previous owners while bringing their own fresh vision.
Evans and Donnelly are the third owners of the “cozy coffee shop” at 205 W Clinton Ave. in Oaklyn. They took over the business from Laura and Jason Moore.
“The previous owners Laura and Jason Moore did an incredible job of elevating the space and setting it on a great path forward,” Evans said, adding since they took over, they were able to “grow the shop further than we ever imagined, continuing to build on the strong foundation they created.”
Recognizing its deep roots, Evans and Donnelly chose to keep the name Common Grounds as a go-to spot for great coffee and connection.
“We felt it was important to honor what had already been built here,” Evans explained.
The name was already well known locally, he offered and “captures exactly what we want the space to be – a shared place for everyone.”
Adding their own refreshing branding twist to the mix, Common Grounds is not only popular with the locals but those who travel to enjoy coffee and treats.
It is a “special energy,” Evans describes and “a place that feels genuine and alive, somewhere you want to stay awhile.”
His fondness for coffee brings Evans back to memories with his grandfather, who loved coffee. Evans would dunk his donuts in his grandfather’s coffee. His very first taste of coffee left an indelible mark and appreciation for the beverage.
“I came to really appreciate coffee for its complexity and craft,” Evans remembers. “I also realized how important coffee shops are to small communities.
“They are places where people go to connect, recharge, and belong.”
The spacious interior of the shop is inviting and opens to a modern coffee shop with an industrial design, aesthetic and warm, ambient lighting.
For the coffee they provide, they wanted the roaster who shares their passion for “quality and consistency,” Evans said. They chose Evermore Coffee Roasters in Burlington City.
Aside from coffee, visitors can enjoy a variety of non-coffee beverages, including teas, matcha, and refreshing seasonal lemonades.
Any given morning, stop in for breakfast where they have a delicious variety of sandwiches and toast. Throughout the day, the menu consists of muffins, cruffins, macarons, cake pops and house-made quiche.
When asked about popular items on the menu, Evans quickly recommended The Crusher, a shaken espresso with your choice of flavor, topped with your choice of milk.
He described it as “simple and endlessly customizable” adding that “almost every seasonal menu features a special variation of it, and it’s always the first drink people gravitate toward.”
Another popular favorite is the Common Flight which consists of four customized drinks that are served with a baked dish.
“It’s not just limited to coffee, you can mix and match with teas, matcha, and chai for a full tasting experience,” Evans said.
The menu changes frequently—not only to introduce new creations but also to bring back popular fan favorites.
The winter season brings new drinks with an expanded food menu.
“We recently acquired The Early Bird in Riverton and plan to bring some of the popular items to Common Grounds,” Evans shared. “We’re also continuing to refine our non-coffee options.”
As a community driven coffee shop, there is no surprise that Common Grounds also gives back. They do this in the form of sponsorship to a local little league team and the Oaklyn United FC men’s soccer team.
“We want everyone who walks into Common Grounds to feel instantly welcome,” Evans said of the customer experience, “whether it’s your first visit or your hundredth, we want you to feel like a regular.
“Our goal is to create a space that’s warm, comfortable, and genuine—a spot you look forward to coming back to.”
