Finding Oz, located at 2348 W. Central Ave., is a small, local coffee shop located in El Dorado. Opening Thursday, Jan. 1, this coffee shop sells a number of delicious items starting from lattes, matcha, smoothies, muffins, bagels, breakfast sandwiches, breakfast burritos and salad.
Photos by Micah Dreams
The local coffeehouse took over after Buffalo Brew decided to close their El Dorado store.
Donna Madden, a Salina native, was inspired to open a coffee shop in her early twenties.
“I remember getting Jones sodas, and I always just thought the environment was really cool,” Madden said.
When Madden saw the Buffalo Brew location was for purchase, she decided it was a perfect opportunity. Madden and her friend considered “Finding Oz” as the name for the business. They would take frequent camping trips and found that “Finding Oz” fit.
“We started this Facebook page of all our camping adventures,” Madden said. We're like, ‘We gotta find a name for it. And so, we're like, we are two girls from Kansas, and everything so let us kind of figure how we can play on that.’”
Initially, Madden wasn’t fond of the name, but then she considered the classic film, Wizard of Oz, which she didn't care for.
“And I was like, ‘I do not know. I do not like the Wizard of Oz; it is not my favorite movie, but I was like, ‘I really like that concept,” Madden said. “And so, I was like, okay, well, what if we just made it to our Oz wasn't necessarily Oz? from the Wizard of Oz, but, like, finding your peace and your happiness, and that is what comes from.”
Patrons will find that the drinks are the same. During the month of February, Madden set to work on creating a Valentine’s themed beverage.
“One of the drinks on that special is called the Cupid’s Arrow Lotus, which includes dragon fruit, pomegranate, strawberry pink lotus and strawberry drizzle,” Madden described.
Cupid’s Arrow Lotus became a best-seller at Finding Oz. Among other beverages, patrons enjoy Peach on the Beach, Sour Gummy and The Bees and Knees.
Madden’s husband also came up with two drink ideas: Weddings Bells Mocha, which comes with rose and white mocha and Love Letter Cheesecake, which includes strawberry, cheesecake, white mocha and strawberry drizzle.
Lakeisha Terrell, a new patron, described Finding Oz as “homey”.
“I like that it looks homey and comfortable if I were to sit down there,” Terrell said.
Terrell spoke with Madden and her daughter who were friendly and knowledgeable when Terrell had questions regarding beverages. The first-time patron tried the “Nutty Ex,” which included hazelnut, English toffee macchiato, sweet cream and cold foam.
Terrell recalled the aroma of Finding Oz, and she explained that it made her want coffee even more.
As Finding Oz settles into its new home on West Central, it is already becoming more than just a place to grab a drink—it is a space built on creativity, comfort and community. From thoughtfully crafted specialty beverages to its welcoming atmosphere, the shop reflects Madden’s vision of “finding your peace and happiness.” For locals like Terrell and others discovering the shop for the first time, Finding Oz offers not just coffee, but an experience that feels both personal and inviting—one that may quickly become a favorite stop in El Dorado.