Our Founders – Todd & John

Sweet Nate’s Coffee began with two best friends — Todd and John — who originally dreamed of launching Toledo’s first mobile margarita truck. But let’s just say the city wasn’t ready for cocktails on wheels. (We still think margaritas and tacos would’ve been genius.)

Shifting gears, we explored other food truck ideas. While our pulled pork pizza and lobster mac & cheese balls were hits, our true passion was coffee — something we drink daily and love deeply. So we thought: why not build a business around it?

After months of research, conversations, and caffeine-fueled planning (with our wives’ blessing), Sweet Nate’s Coffee was born — first as a mobile coffee trailer, and now as your neighborhood café. One cup at a time, we bring good energy and great coffee to Toledo.

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Who’s Nate?

If we’re Todd and John, who’s Nate? He was Todd’s dad — Mr. Matthews to most — and the unofficial neighborhood dad to us growing up. A no-nonsense Air Force vet who drank his coffee black, gave honest advice, and always saw right through you over the rim of his glasses.

“Sweet Nate” started as a teenage nickname we gave him — mostly to make ourselves laugh. He didn’t love it, but it stuck. And it stayed with him long after those days on the block.

Naming the café after him is our way of honoring the man who embodied everything we admire: strength, warmth, and great taste in coffee. Our logo? Inspired by a photo of him at a costume party — pilot’s helmet, goggles, and all. It’s classic Sweet Nate.