Springfield Cars & Coffee

09/01/2026

This is it...
Standing at the end of 11 incredible seasons of Springfield Cars and Coffee, I find myself processing a mix of emotions—sadness, relief, and calm reflection. Above all else, I am filled with profound gratitude as this chapter comes to a close.

​To every single person who ever woke up early on a Saturday morning or joined us on a Friday night simply to share in the culture: thank you. My goal was always to create a welcoming, inclusive space that built a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood across every generation of enthusiasts. I hope you felt that love whenever you parked with us.

​To our sponsors, volunteers, community advocates, and friends: none of this would have ever happened without your time, support, and dedication. You carried this vision alongside me, and I am endlessly thankful for your contributions over the years. There are so many that can be named, but I don't want to forget anyone, so thank you!
Goheen Cycles Silverback Custom Works Jeff Wyler Hyundai of Beavercreek RC Enterprises Coffee Expressions, LLC Kerry’s Café, LLC Drive 1 Car & Truck Phillip Garrett

(My apologies if I missed anyone)

​When I started this 11 years ago, I poured my heart and soul into proving three things: that the car community is alive and well, that we can seamlessly bridge generational gaps, and most importantly, that Springfield is a place full of passion and good people. Together, I truly believe we accomplished that. From our peak turnouts to 11 years of great memories with virtually no drama, we built something remarkable.

​Managing events behind the scenes naturally came with its share of logistical and financial challenges. While finding the perfect long-term home wasn't always easy, I hold deep gratitude for every location that welcomed us along the way—from our early days at Snyder Park to our final chapter at Mershon’s. Every venue helped keep this dream going, and I promise I gave it everything I had.

​Thank you for investing your time, energy, and enthusiasm into something bigger than ourselves. The event may be ending, but as long as we keep supporting one another, this community will never die. I will keep working toward my future dreams, and I hope you will all continue to uplift each other and keep the culture strong.

​Be kind to one another, thank you for everything, and I’ll see you on the flip side.

FINAL MEET:
SEPTEMBER 12th 2026
@ the Former Mershon's
9am-noon-ish

08/15/2026

Get out and show your support if you can.

08/15/2026

A small, but mighty turnout...so far

08/07/2026

Happy Friday! Enjoy the weekend!

07/17/2026

Cars and Coffee is not cancelled, but PLEASE take precautions if you have any health concerns that may be affected by the weather.

07/12/2026

Good morning,
I want to take a moment to address the incredible wave of responses I received regarding my post about shutting down Cars and Coffee. Hearing from so many of you means the world to me, and it’s clear how much this community cares. I want to clear the air, share where my head is at, and talk about where we go from here.
🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️
The main reason I chose Springfield to host Cars and Coffee over a decade ago is probably the exact reason some people hesitate to come here: "the reputation." Let’s be honest—Springfield is not a bad place. The exact same challenges and crime people point to here exist in Dayton, Columbus, and Cincinnati. The only difference is Springfield doesn't have a suburban shadow to hide behind.
I didn't grow up here, but I’ve now spent more of my life in Springfield than where I was raised. I’ve adopted this city as my second hometown. I know the greatness that lies in the country barns and detached garages around this county, and my goal has always been to shine a light on it.
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Over the years, we've taken some heavy blows regarding venues, but we’ve always weathered the storms. I’ve heard the suggestions to bounce around to multiple locations, but trust me—I’ve tried it. It became a logistical nightmare that brought more complaints than it was worth.
Currently, the city has given us permission to use the lot across from the parking garage next to Mother Stewart's. However, we chose Mershon’s because it offers plenty of space, a legendary classic car dealership backdrop, and a vibe that brings generations of enthusiasts together without disturbing the general public. We have permission to be there, so Mershon's remains our home until further notice.
As for the schedule and conflicting events? I start planning the calendar every November📅🗓️ and try to have it published by January or February. A lot of you have asked for evening or night events. While I'm absolutely open to new formats, nighttime meets are in direct opposition to the traditional "Cars & Coffee" model. Again, which is why I made the initial post.
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At the end of the day, my goals have always been simple:
Hang out with my friends (especially after moving 20 miles away).
Keep spreading a deep, unconditional love for car culture.
I’m a tuner and import guy through and through, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to see muscle cars, classics, exotics, and everything in between. Car culture is like a family recipe—if we don't pass it down to the next generation, people stop cooking it, and eventually, everyone forgets how good it was.
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For 11 years, I have shouldered the vast majority of the planning, marketing, and heavy lifting for Cars and Coffee. I have had amazing help along the way, and I am eternally grateful to every sponsor and volunteer who has stepped up.
But dealing with cities and entities to keep a FREE, family-friendly event running just to change the narrative about Springfield has become exhausting. The things that happen behind the scenes that no one sees—like paying out of pocket for the parking garage or carrying expensive insurance just in case someone does something stupid—represent a massive personal investment.
So, yes, the frustration creeps in. It hurts to invest so much heart, time, and money into this town, only to watch local enthusiasts wake up at 6:00 AM to drive an hour away while bypassing an event in their own backyard. The return on investment just hasn't balanced out lately.

🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁
I want to keep this momentum going, but it has to evolve. We’ve realized that standard Cars and Coffee in Springfield might not draw the same way it does in Dayton or Columbus—and that’s okay. It just means we need to adapt, pivot, and build something even better suited for us.
The passion isn't gone; it’s just looking for a new exhaust note. I am incredibly excited about the future of the automotive scene here, the builds coming out of this area, and the new ways we can celebrate the culture together. Stay tuned, keep working in those garages, and let's get ready for the next chapter.
Thank you all for the years of support. We'll see where we end up.
Best,
Thomas

07/10/2026

In the past few years, I’ve been contemplating stepping away from Springfield Cars and Coffee. I haven’t been able to pull the trigger because, at the end of the day, I want nothing more than to see this community grow.

We’ve had a small but incredibly loyal following for the past 11 seasons, and I am so grateful for every one of you who has stuck by us. But true growth is what I desire for Springfield. The reality is, we’ve been dealt some massive blows when it comes to venues over the last few years. As we all know in the car scene, once you lose a great spot, it is incredibly hard to gain that traction back.

We’ve put everything into making this work, constantly pivoting to keep the flame alive. We went from Snyder Park, to moving downtown to CoHatch during COVID, to gaining access to the downtown parking garage, then moving to the JVS/CTC, and finally to Mershon’s. We’ve had some truly great meets along the way, but it feels like every single year, something unfortunate happens behind the scenes that forces us to start over.

On top of our local venue hurdles, we are fighting a massive uphill battle against what the broader car culture has become. The rise of street takeovers and reckless behavior at meets has cast a dark shadow over the entire automotive community. Even though that isn't who we are in Springfield, the negative stigma affects all of us. Property owners, cities, and insurance companies look at car meets with massive hesitation now because of the actions of a few. It has made securing and keeping a quality venue almost impossible.

I know there is already a stigma attached to Springfield itself. It’s a stigma I have actively tried to fight in the 20+ years I’ve lived and worked in this area. I’ve won a few battles, but honestly, between the local hurdles and the shifting culture, I fear I’m losing the narrative war.

A few years ago, we had amazing sponsors come aboard—huge shoutout to Silverback Custom Works, Goheen Cycles, Jeff Wyler Hyundai Beavercreek, and others. But when things didn't go in our favor with the parking garage venue, it was devastating. To be completely transparent, I carry the weight of that. I constantly question if I did enough as an organizer for the community and for those sponsors to keep Cars and Coffee relevant.

I want so much for the events we put on to have a lasting, positive impact on this town, but right now, I don’t know if I’m achieving that. I am racking my brain trying to find a solution. What am I missing? Is the classic morning timeframe just not working for people anymore? Is it the layout?

I feel like it might be time to reset the clock and officially end our event after the 2026 season—unless we can collectively chart a new path forward.

So, I’m putting it to you, our community. If we are going to keep this alive and thriving, I need your unfiltered, honest feedback. What do I need to change as the event organizer to make things better? What am I not offering that keeps people away from Springfield, but excites them to travel to other regional events?

Is it the venue? (What kind of space or location would actually bring you out?)

Is it the timing? (Are mornings burned out? Would an evening meet or a different day change the game?)

Is it the vendor presence? (Do we need more food trucks, coffee, or local automotive shops involved?)

Is it something else entirely?

If you've ever enjoyed a morning at Cars and Coffee, please drop a comment below or send a DM. I love this car community, but to keep going past 2026, we need a serious spark. Let me know your thoughts. 👇

06/21/2026

06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day!