Photo by Brea White for The Lafayette

Vera Cafe’s owners pride themselves on the shop’s long open hours.

A recently opened Turkish coffeehouse is bringing refreshing combinations of traditional blends with unique signature flavors to downtown Easton.

“The nice thing about owning your own spot is you do what you like,” said co-owner and Easton native Eren Bala.

Vera Cafe works with local vendors — Mad Catter Coffee Roasters from Allentown and pastries from local bakeries — to create its own unique blend. The menu boasts both standard coffeehouse fare and unique signature drinks, including seasonal specials.

“They have a Dubai chocolate mocha drink that I’m really obsessed with,” said frequent customer Dylan Frendt.

“It has a unique selection of different coffees,” said Thomas, a customer who was on his second visit. “There are a lot of coffee shops in Easton, but that gives a unique vibe.” 

The cafe is looking to expand to a small food menu for its official grand opening in April. The space itself is intimate, but the outdoor patio will be more accessible during the warmer seasons.

Vera Cafe’s owners pride themselves on the cafe’s hours: open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekends.

“As an Easton native, and somebody who lived downtown, one of my biggest complaints was a cafe that wasn’t open on the weekends,” Bala said.

Bala travelled to Turkey and Egypt for his education before deciding to return home to expand his business past catering, with the cafe opening in mid-January.

“I was born and raised here, my family lives here, so this was always home base,” he said.

The business’s other half, BJ Gumus, moved to the United States five years ago to change professions into the food industry. His goal: to bring a taste of Turkish authenticity to the United States with coffees and teas.

“When I visit places in the United States that have Turkish coffee, those are not that good and not that authentic,” Gumus said.

“I think when people choose to come to America, start a business, take such a huge risk in a different place, and I find that so brave,” Frendt said. “I can’t recommend this place more fully to people.” 

Vera Cafe offers a 10% discount to Lafayette College students with the presentation of their student ID.