Freeport residents won’t have to leave town to get a cup of coffee after this weekend.
On Friday, 1833 Coffee and Tea Co. is opening on Fifth Street.
“Everyone deserves a good cup of coffee or tea,” said Karen Heilman of Freeport, who is opening the store with longtime friend Virginia Lindsay of South Buffalo.
The pair — who previously operated a gardening business together — decided on a location in February. The duo installed seating areas, bought equipment, decorated the store and teamed up with several local businesses.
They’ll be using 19 Coffee Co., a Pittsburgh-based roastery, as their coffee provider. Cleveland-based Storehouse Tea — a woman-run company that employs refugees — was their choice for tea.
The store will boast a variety of coffee options, with the selection including lattes, cappuccinos and a cold brew. The shop features 14 organic loose-leaf tea options, as well as smoothies and hot cocoa.
“This type of coffee shop is a community gathering space,” Lindsay said. “We felt like people were looking for something this. It’s a community space where people can come together here, meet friends here, study here.”
There are several tables, making it easy for people to sit down and socialize or work over a cup of coffee, she said.
Lindsay and Heilman said they want everyone to feel welcome, and they’re hoping to attract customers from Freeport, as well as visitors stopping in the town to use the recreational trails or enjoy time on the Allegheny River.
The coffee shop sells baked goods, locally produced honey and bags of coffee or tea. Other offerings, including T-shirts, locally made mugs, travel mugs and candles are coming soon. They also plan to collaborate with an area farmer to sell milk.
“We’re trying to source as much locally as we can,” Heilman said.
Julia Felton | Tribune-Review
1833 Coffee and Tea is opening in Freeport on Friday.
Opening a coffee shop is the realization of a longtime goal for Heilman — but it’s also a way to give back to the community, she said.
“We have been seeing a lot of growth around this area and a lot of woman-run businesses,” she said. She wants the coffee shop and other local businesses to draw more people into their town.
Though the shop hasn’t opened yet, the pair have drawn interest on social media. They’ve seen an outpouring of support from the community.
Even coffee shops in nearby towns have been eager to support them.
“I feel overwhelmed by the community support,” Heilman said. “It’s really generated great buzz.”
While the pair acknowledged there is a lot of work and planning that goes into opening a business, they said they’re pleased with the quality of their coffee and tea and eager to work together on a new venture.
They plan to hire about six employees, Lindsay said, though they’re both planning to be at the shop as much as possible.
The store opens Friday and will be open seven days a week. Online ordering options will soon be available.
Julia Felton | Tribune-Review
1833 Coffee and Tea is opening in Freeport on Friday.
Julia Felton is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Julia at 724-226-7724, [email protected] or via Twitter .
