Barista Bio's

So you can get to know us a little better.

Mark Balogh

since Jan. 1997, Owner
Mark is most-known on campus for his Catch-Phrase, "Can I help you PLEASE," but most known at Coffee House as "the guy who signs your checks."  While Mark is here every morning, you will rarely see him in a Coffee House t-shirt because he is always sporting a college shirt or sweatshirt from his vast collection.  He seems to have a story about every major city in the US and has seen all the major classic rock bands back-in-the-day.
Drink Go-To: Coffee w/sweet n'low

Clarissa

Clarissa Cuomo, better known as “Pip,” is a 2025 nursing student at CWRU and barista since spring 2022. She adores conversing with you lovely customers, creating your perfect drink, and helping choose the perfect pastry to pair. When she isn’t studying or slinging espresso, she is playing the electric bass guitar, cycling, fashion-ing, shooting pool, or finding another hobby. Pip finds The Coffee House to be an authentic, beautiful place and hopes she can make your experience agree.

Karoline Szczepanek

since May 2012, Junior Manager
She graduated from Cleveland Institute of Art in 2015 with a BFA in Interior Architecture, an architectural drawing and design program.  She spends most of her time outside of work reading, and is always ready to talk books and give/accept recommendations. She reads a book a week and listens to at least 3 audio-books each week. When she isn't reading, she's probably tearing apart her apartment and putting it back together, but she calls it renovation.
Drink Go-To: Flavored Drip Coffee w/half & half, but she's always inventing new drinks and switching things up.