Coffeehouse to perk up downtown Vandergrift
A new enterprise is brewing in historic Vandergrift’s business district.
Virginia Lindsay and Karen Heilman, co-owners of 1833 Coffee and Tea Co. in Freeport, announced this week on social media that they’re expanding their coffee business and opening a “sister shop” along Grant Avenue.
The new coffee business will be called Grant Ave. Coffee Co.
It will be the second coffee business venture for the duo, and they hope to open in a few months, before the busy holiday season.
The friends recently were visiting Vandergrift and were walking up and down the streets, Heilman said.
“Vandergrift is beautiful. The architecture is stunning. I love the curved and the Olmstead design of the town,” Heilman said.
They went to Allusion Brewing Co. and chatted with owner Robert Buchanan, who suggested they open a coffee shop in Vandergrift.
“I feel there is a need (for a coffee shop),” Heilman said.
The new business will be next door to Allusion Brewing Co. at 139 Grant Ave.
Allusion Brewing owns the building.
“As long as I have been here in Vandergrift, people have asked for a coffee shop,” Buchanan said.
Vandergrift Mayor Lenny Collini said having another new business is great news.
“The coffee shop will be another attraction to the downtown. All and all, it does help out to move our commercial district forward. It would be real nice if you were to smell the coffee bean aroma from the street,” Collini said.
On the heels of celebrating 1833 Coffee and Tea Co.’s first anniversary, Lindsay said she hopes to bring an elevated coffee experience for customers.
“I want it to have a Vandergrift vibe. When you talk to people in Vandergrift, about Vandergrift, they talk a lot about the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s,” Lindsay said on possible decor ideas for the new space.
Renovations are underway.
The 120-year-old building previously was a floral shop, clothing store and antique business.
Nowicki Construction and Design of Glenshaw is in charge of the project.
“The steel beams in this building are amazing. We will be putting in new drywall and a drop-down ceiling and building to suit,” Todd Nowicki said.
When completed, the coffee shop will occupy the front portion of the building, and a back multipurpose room will be in use by Allusion Brewing Co.
The total size of the building is about 3,000 square feet.
The new store will offer a multitude of coffee options and organic loose-leaf tea options.
Smoothies, hot cocoa, cappuccinos, cold brew and lattes will be available.
Baked goods will be offered, but there will not be a food menu.
Vandergrift native Robert Kane, 81, was treated to a sneak peek inside the building Wednesday, along with his wife, Becky.
The couple live in Apollo and said they’re looking forward to visiting Vandergrift for coffee.
“They have a lot of work to do here,” Kane said surveying the remodeling. “But it will be great. Vandergrift is really trying, and it’s exciting.”
Grant Ave. Coffee Co. will operate with a staff of about five employees, and Lindsay and Heilman will share managerial duties at both locations.
“We’re so excited to be working with Robert and John (Bieranoski, co-owner at Allusion Brewing), and their vision is fantastic,” Lindsay said.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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