Coffee, community and comfort.
Those are the words listed on the menu at Cafe Oztara, a new eastside coffee shop at 1446 E. Washington St.
Damien Center, Indiana’s oldest HIV/AIDS service organization, purchased the historic building in 2021 and held a grand opening Feb. 7. The hope is for the cafe to be a safe and sober space for the LGBTQ+ community, Damien Center clients and the surrounding neighborhood.
Built in 1891, the building has been home to several LGBTQ+ businesses. Most recently, it housed LGBTQ+ bar Zonie’s Closet. The coffee shop’s name — inspired by the pagan holiday Ostara, a celebration of spring and rebirth — used a ‘z’ to pay homage to Zonie’s Closet.
“You can come and hang out and find comfort and safety coming to a coffee shop, but there’s going to be a lot more to it,” said Alan Witchey, the president and CEO of Damien Center.
Cafe Oztara will also offer hands-on hospitality training through Damien’s Employment Skills Development Program. The more than 4,000-square-foot space features classrooms to be used for workforce development training, entrepreneurship workshops and adult education programs.
“It’s basically designed to open doors to success and independence for the clients and the people who come through the doors,” Witchey said.
Witchey said the cafe will hire paid employees who will work alongside program participants.
“It’s designed to be practical learning and hands-on,” Witchey said. “A partnership between the people who know how to do the work and the people who are coming in and learning.”
State senator praises Cafe Oztara
Providing opportunities for adults to continue learning is incredibly critical, said state Sen. Andrea Hunley at the cafe’s grand opening. She said there aren’t many programs like the one offered at Cafe Oztara.
“The educational investment that the Cafe Oztara employment skills development program is making in Indianapolis will not only lead to a brighter future of personal growth and financial independence for the individual trainees, but a brighter future for our entire community,” said Hunley, an Indianapolis Democrat.
Cafe to feature local artists, live performances
The walls of the building feature pieces from local artists, which will be on sale at First Friday events. There is also space for live performances, art workshops and other community activities.
Sunlight illuminates artwork decorating the walls. Credit: Rylan Capper for Mirror Indy 
Director of Strategic Initiatives Alexandra Bavender (left) and Director of Essential Services Jaime Reynolds (right) talk with colleagues. Credit: Rylan Capper for Mirror Indy 
President and CEO Alan Witchey looks at an artwork by Jose Cabrera. Credit: Rylan Capper for Mirror Indy 
Artwork by Kody Stovall decorates the walls. Credit: Rylan Capper for Mirror Indy 
Brady Laughlin, elder team lead for the center’s Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS. Credit: Rylan Capper for Mirror Indy 
An exhibit features work by more than 20 LGBTQ+ artists. Credit: Rylan Capper for Mirror Indy
Alexanda Huang stopped by Cafe Oztara’s grand opening. She and her husband live nearby and are excited for the new community space.
“It’s super cute,” she said. “I love seeing that big stage here, that is going to be fun. I am looking forward to seeing what happens.”
Cafe Oztara could benefit from the Blue Line
The cafe will also be along the future Blue Line route, IndyGo’s third bus rapid transit line. The Blue line is expected to begin operations in 2028.
“About 70% of our clients and patients come by the bus system,” Witchey said. “So we really do need the Blue Line, it will be tremendously helpful for us.”
At the grand opening, Mayor Joe Hogsett said the cafe’s goal to be a safe place for Indianapolis residents is valuable to the community.
“Community is a place to belong, a place to call home,” Hogsett said. “It’s places like this that are so essential in keeping this sense of community alive, particularly in times like these.”
The opening of Cafe Oztara comes as the Damien Center expands its campus. A 56,000-square-foot facility is set to open at the corner of East Washington Street and Oriental Avenue this year.
If you go
Cafe Oztara is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The cafe offers locally sourced coffee, pastries, soups and sandwiches. The menu also features several vegan and gluten free options. More information can be found online.
Mirror Indy reporter Darian Benson covers east Indianapolis. Contact her at 317-397-7262 or darian.benson@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @HelloImDarian or on Bluesky @darianbenson.bsky.social.
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