Photos by Tine Hofman

Cincinnati, Ohio—

Anne and Andrew Decker don’t want to take over the world or even their end of East McMillan Street in Walnut Hills. They just want to make sure their Landlocked Social House is perfect.

One recent mid-morning, the place was nearly filled—a few people, the world tuned out by their earbuds, tapping away on laptops; some pleasantly chatting over coffee; and others, living by an “it’s noon somewhere” ethos, happily sipping beer.

Mom-and-pop stores have been part of the American urban landscape since the country was founded. The dream of small-town entrepreneurial bliss in the big city is compelling, and even when an unexpected issue overwhelms the Deckers’ enterprise, this couple keeps on sourcing and serving a carefully curated menu of coffee and beer.

“We always knew we wanted to do some kind of business together,” says Anne, “and this business is a marriage of our two worlds.” Anne, originally from Dayton, attended UC and moved back home after graduation. She spent four years at Dayton’s Press Coffee Bar, where they roast all of the coffee they serve under the name Wood Burl Coffee. Andrew, a self-confessed beer nerd, was a manager at Eudora Brewing Co. in Dayton.

When the two moved to Cincinnati and opened Landlocked, they combined their loves. They brew Wood Burl coffee, and 15 of the 20 bar taps are dedicated to hard-to-find regional beers from around the world (the others dispense wine, cold brew coffee, and soda).

They serve a killer breakfast sandwich on a ciabatta roll made by Allez Bakery in OTR, treats from Mainwood Pastry at Findlay Market, and a wicked BLT. On Mondays they host a street-food pop-up dinner in collaboration with local chefs.

As Walnut Hills evolves, Landlocked Social House is on track to remain the perfect, hippest option on the block.

Landlocked Social House
648 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills
Cincinnati Oh 45206
937.626.4417
LandlockedSocialHouse.com
Mon–Sat 6:30am–midnight
Sun 9am–2pm
Happy hour Mon–Fri 3pm–7pm