It’s a love story. No, wait — it’s a small business article. No, wait again — it’s a business rebranding. Okay, it’s all three. If you’ve never enjoyed a visit to the Wild Goats Cafe’ at 319 W. Main Street in Kent, the time has come!
The Wild Goats story goes back a few years. Originally named Dancing Goats, it was located on East Main as part of a small plaza. The name comes from the legend of Kaldi, a shepherd who observed his goats ‘dancing’ after eating coffee beans. (Same, goats, same!) The business was moved to its current location in 2006. Old-timers from Kent will know it as the old Friendly’s building, across from the library.
Justin Rogers started working there in the fall of 2013. He always had management (and beyond) in his sights. Betsy Weckerly started there in fall of 2016, working her way through college. Over time, the two began dating. They married in July of 2024. There must be something in the water there, as there are three long-term couples that met while working at ‘the Goat;’ Bryant (Justin’s brother) and Brittany, Justin and Betsy, and Tim and Spencer. It sounds like a happy place to work!
Though it was always a special place for him, Justin left the Goat in 2020 to become General Manager at the Brew Kettle in Hudson. During the winter of 2021/22 Charles Ciborek, the Wild Goats owner of the time, came looking for him, with an offer Justin just couldn’t refuse. Mr. Ciborek had new menu ideas for them to try, and he wanted to sell the business to Justin. So, Justin returned to the Goat with plans! They implemented his menu ideas, the birth of the FizziMoo. He and Betsy attained ownership on March 9, 2025. Not only is it a special place, it’s a family place, too. Justin’s brother, Bryant, is the General Manager. He runs the day-to-day operations. There are 18 employees there, and all are happy to see you.
For the time, they maintained the same menu, growing the business with various specials and developed more variations of the FizziMoo. Okay, by now you must be wondering what is a FizziMoo? It is a combination of a beverage base, adding a shot of flavoring and adding a cold foam topping-reminiscent of the old-fashioned Sodas of the 1950s. With a choice of 6 carbonated beverages from the Cocoa Cola line, along with coffee, tea and lemonade, and over twenty flavorings and three toppers…the combinations are endless! There are many established recipes available, or you can create your own. You can even tailor it to the reduced calorie needs by using Diet Coke as base, and one of the sugar-free flavorings-still delicious!
Affectionately known as The Goat, this business has always been open to ‘thinking out of the box.’ They tried the No-Tipping model for a while. Didn’t work well, as we are so accustomed to the traditional (for the US) tipping model, so they went back.
In response to many suggestions, they are now changing up the menu. To make it more affordable without sacrificing quality, they are streamlining it. Gone are the bowls, the rice and the homemade Mac and Cheese. However… Concentrating on breakfast: they have original breakfast specialties along with your classic offerings. This reporter wants to try the Haymaker from their SOB menu items. Not what you’re thinking it stands for…Skillets, Omelets and Burritos. Sandwiches and SOBs are often named after Kent cultural icons; you can order the Golden Flash, Black Squirrel or Rough Rider breakfast sandwich. (My Go To is the Black Squirrel. Not gonna describe it to you, you need to try it for yourself!-Ethel)
If eggs and breakfast sandwiches aren’t your thing, don’t worry. They now have a full line of pancakes and French toast. The Ohio Buckeye Stack has caught my eye. Time to Goat it! They have Gluten Free Pancake offer, be sure to ask your server about it.
Hmmm, what about lunch? The new menu has kept favorites from the old, hello Chicken Curry Soup, and added a few such as the Avo Pesto Press and the Goat’s version of tomato basil soup. If you are a bit hungrier, you can get your sandwich ‘goated,’ which adds your choice side. A new side addition, sweet potato fries. They offer many vegan options; Tomato Pesto soup, Avo-chickpea salad, Avo Pesto Press, and the Garden Humus Wrap.
Breakfast and lunch menu items are available all day, every day. Dinner items are available after 3:00 p.m. Dinner options are Creamy Cajun Pasta, Pretzel Crusted Chop and the Chicken Tender meal. There is an Evening Combo of 3 lunch/breakfast items as well. Appetizers are offered, too. The new veggies and hummus app looks so good, and healthy, too.
That brings us to dessert, yum. Chocolate Cake, Apple Pie, Cheesecake or an Ice Cream Sundae are the usual suspects. They also offer Seasonal Sweet Treats, giant Cinnamon Rolls, huge Milkshakes, and FizziMoos. You can also enjoy a Boba. Wednesday offerings are a bit different…
If you are near Kent on Wednesday, you need to stop in for an RSR…Roger’s Secret Recipe multi-course dinner. This needs the backstory to truly appreciate the RSR. As a wedding present, Betsy’s sister, Kate, secretly gathered family recipes from both sides of the couple’s families, and put them together in a recipe book. This is the basis for the RSR. (This reporter also contributed…secret’s out, Ethel is Betsy’s aunt.) So, an RSR serves an appetizer, meal, dessert, and drink inspired by this book. All for under $20.00! Last week there was fried chicken, mac and cheese, turnip greens, sweet potato pie, and apple cider. It was awesome! RSRs are also available to go.
The Goat also offers a special each day of the week. Got kids? Take them to the Goat on Mondays, they eat free! No kidding. (Stop me from the goat puns, please…) Are burgers your thing? Come by on Tuesdays for their burger specials. Of course, Wednesdays are the RSR. Thursdays are the BuckBuck Special; choose from many breakfast items for two dollars each. Free FizziMoo Friday tops off the week, get free FizziMoo with any meal or combo. Fridays also highlight the creativity of employees; they get to share an item of their own creation!
Justin and Betsy have plans for the future of the Goat! Betsy now works full-time as an educator at Kent Roosevelt High School, so she bounces between school and the Goat. She is usually sure to work Wednesdays for the RSR, and she does many of the sanitation and managerial duties. Justin not only leads, but cooks, seats, and serves. He likes to meet the guests and make sure that they are happy with their meals. Within 5 years they would like to expand and have a FizziMoo stand on campus. They are also interested in hosting private events. Though they don’t cater, they often serve ‘very large to-go orders’ through the schools and local businesses.
They also are very community-oriented. They work in partnership with Kent Social Services; a portion of their profits is donated to that organization, as well as food donations. They often give gift certificates to charities and silent auctions. Recently, Justin was a guest speaker for the Leadership Retreat for Small Businesses. They also participate in all the Main Street Kent events.
Betsy and Justin present their food with pride in the high quality and deliciousness of each and every menu item! A guest has an array of choices that are both tasty and healthy. ‘Fresh and Funky’ is their well-deserved motto. The new menu is set to debut on December 1, and this reporter can’t wait. Writing this has made the tummy rumble! Goat hours are Monday through Friday 7:30am to 9:00pm, Saturday and Sunday 7:30am to 3:00pm. Their new phone number is (330)968-3007. You can order online at https://wildgoatscafe.com. You can also access them through Facebook at Wild Goats Cafe (Give them a like and get all the info!) The management team runs the social media accounts, and Bree is beginning a Tik Tok acount for them. One more thing…look for merch! That’s right, you can join the herd, too! Get your hat, horns, sticker or shirt! Not a baaaaaad idea.
