New coffee shop in Freeport creates cozy gathering place for cup of joe
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Virginia Lindsay didn’t set out to open a coffee and tea shop in Freeport when she and business partner Karen Heilman started looking for a new venture in which to get involved.
But they knew they wanted to put their creativity and energy into something that was in the heart of the tiny river town’s commercial district.
The idea that would become the 1833 Coffee and Tea Co. — named for the year the borough was incorporated — came with the realization that getting a cup of coffee brewed from high quality, freshly ground beans meant driving 15 minutes to the Starbucks in Pittsburgh Mills.
Lindsay said she first kicked around the idea of opening a natural food store or a book shop but knew there would be unforeseen perils if she opened a business she knew nothing about.
“I have a sewing pattern business that I operate online, but I wanted to get involved in something that allowed me to interact in-person with customers,” said Lindsay, a native of Atlanta, Ga., who moved to western Pennsylvania in 2000 when her husband’s job was relocated.
“I grew up in the suburbs, but I really love small towns,” she said.
“So I knew I wanted to have a shop in town but couldn’t really focus on what it should be.”
Lindsay and Heilman were not only friends but they knew they worked well together after teaming up to operate a small gardening business.
But it was Heilman’s experience as a longtime manager for the Crazy Mocha coffee shop chain that sealed the deal on what their new enterprise would be.
Heilman was also no stranger to Freeport. For many years, her father, Bus Toy, was the town barber.
“I grew up in Sarver, but we were always down in Freeport,” Heilman said. “My roots are here, and when I found the right house in town several years ago, I bought it and moved here.”
Heilman said she not only gained “a ton” of experience working for the Crazy Mocha chain and then the Pitt Specialty Supply restaurant supplier in Tarentum, she developed relationships that were valuable when she and Lindsay set out to launch their shop.
“The owners of Crazy Mocha and Pitt Supply sat down with us before we signed the lease for this building,” said Heilman.
“They not only encouraged us to do it, they gave us a lot of great advice and suggestions about what we should do to be successful.”
Over the course of five months, the pair remodeled the space, installed equipment and seating and transformed the empty storefront at the corner of Fifth and High streets into a cozy gathering spot they say has exceeded their expectations since debuting in August.
“The support from the community has been phenomenal,” Lindsay said.
“It’s more than we ever imagined.”
Heilman and Lindsay sampled coffees from a number of local roasters before settling on 19 Coffee Co., a Pittsburgh-based roastery, as their supplier. Their choice of tea supplier was Cleveland-based Storehouse Tea, which is operated by women and employs refugees.
The shop features traditional coffee and tea as well as lattes, cappuccinos and a cold brew. They also have 14 organic loose-leaf tea options as well as smoothies and hot cocoa.
Patrons also can get bags of coffee and tea to take home, locally produced baked goods, local honey and raw milk from the Lea-Ara Farms in Worthington.
A selection of T-shirts, locally made mugs, travel mugs and candles also is available.
Lindsay has decorated the bright open space with artwork and other items to create an atmosphere that encourages patrons to relax and linger.
A vintage fireplace mantle in the rear seating area is a focal point that adds to the shop’s vintage charm.
“I like to change things up in the shop pretty regularly, so I’m always on the lookout for interesting art and items to display,” she said.
Some of the art that soon will be on display was created by shop employee Payton Stewart, who is an artist, Lindsay said.
Heilman said support for their business has grown steadily as Freeport residents make stopping by a part of their routine. And travelers looking to avoid the coffee and tea served at convenience stores and gas stations regularly detour off Route 28 to stop at the shop, she said.
The shop also has become a popular gathering spot for recreational boaters, who stop in Freeport while navigating the Allegheny River, as well as bicyclists and hikers who use the local trail system.
Kirk Montgomery, who attends United Presbyterian Church in Freeport, said it’s nice to have a place where parishioners can gather after services.
“Before they opened up, the only option was to drive to the (Pittsburgh) Mills,” he said.
“This is really convenient, and it’s a very nice little place.”
Lindsay believes the coffee shop’s addition to the commercial district can help create reasons for residents to shop in town and thinks it can help spur other entrepreneurs to consider setting up shop in Freeport.
“It’s a wonderful little community,” she said.
“We would love to mentor or assist in any way we can to bring more businesses to the town.”