Allana and Ishmael Trainor are shown in this September 2024 file photo at the former location of Legenderie Records & Coffee House at 5761 Peach St.
JENNIE GEISLER/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
USA TODAY Network, Reuters
A Black-owned business is coming back to Erie, and the owners say they plan to be more focused on the specific needs of their community.
After leaving their previous location at 5761 Peach St. in 2025, Ishmael and Allana Trainor, owners of Legenderie Records and Coffee House, collaborated with Erie’s Black Wall Street, a nonprofit organization that advocates for change and empowerment of Erie’s black community.
“Erie’s Black Wall Street was very supportive on the Peach Street location,” Ishmael Trainor said. “We recognized back then that there were some partnerships that could come about. They’re already doing special stuff in the community while targeting that area. I think it’s a great area that has momentum.”
Thanks to the collaboration, the Trainors were able to find a new business home at 1313 Parade St., which they will now call “Coffee Bar by Legenderie.” Ishmael Trainor said the alternative branding will allow them to offer a unique experience in this iteration.
“Having Legenderie come back to the Erie community, it shows the resilience of entrepreneurs, especially small businesses owners,” Kyra Taylor, executive director of Erie’s Black Wall Street said. “Even when presented with a setback, they can still come back bigger and better than they did before. It shows that we as a community have interest in supporting small businesses.”
The traffic isn’t as heavy on Parade Street, but the owners are hoping that residents will support a business that is part of their neighborhood.
“Peach Street was very unique and had high traffic, but this location (Parade Street) is right in the heart of the city,” Trainor said. “This area is more walkable so think about those opportunities. Even we’re not downtown we’re more midtown.”
The new location on Parade Street is the former location of Latino’s Restaurant, which closed in 2019. The building was purchased by Erie’s Black Wall Street for $210,000 in June.
In the previous location on Peach Street, a former cafe, Coffee Culture that was owned and operated by LECOM, the Trainors saw a variety of customers as Peach Street is a popular and high traffic road in Erie County.
Serving a new community
While taking time to regroup, gather ideas from their travels to other coffee shops in other states, the Trainor’s looked for ways to revitalize their business but to do so in a way that best fits the area.
“We’re trying to bring some things over from a menu standpoint while being able to offer new items to better serve the community,” Ishmael Trainor said. “What we’re really looking into is the ability to hold live events with local music. I want to focus more on those events and the revitalization of the community.”
Part of revitalizing their business is making sure the community focus fits the business plan. This includes making modifications to the hours, menu items and entertainment.
“Our plan for hours is to see what the demand of the community is at first,” Ishmael Trainor said. “At first, we might start with daytime and then expand if necessary. Every community and location has different demands.”
As for the menu items, Trainor is thinking of a cafe-style menu reminiscent of what the previous location offered.
“It might be larger than it was before, but then again it might not be,” Ishmael Trainor said. “Items will include coffee, pastries, some light food but we don’t deep fry anything. We want sandwiches, wraps and bagel sandwiches.”
Modifying the new space
As of Sept. 17, the Trainor’s are still working on remodeling the Parade Street location in hopes of having it ready for mid-October.
“We have to do our own remodeling and then follow compliance and inspections,” Ishmael Trainor said. “Right now, we’re just working on general renovations and getting things up to par. Making sure the building is ADA compliant. It’s typical remodeling.”
Trainor says he floor plan for Coffee Bar by Legenderie will be a cafe-style layout with a 30-foot bar.
“Now Legenderie will have more space to do more programing, to connect with the community at large and they will be in a space that had foot traffic as well,” Taylor said. “They’ll be able to expand on their original mission connecting people with good coffee, records and good music. They’ll create that community feel.”
Excitement from the community
Community leaders are looking forward to what the new business can bring to the area.
“When you look at Parade Street and the direction that we are going as a community, the black and brown community, it adds another meeting space to that area that we haven’t had,” Marcus Atkinson, co-founding member of East Side Renaissance, said. “What makes Erie more unique is that we have our fair share of mom-and-pop operations. Whether it’s specialized places for wings or donut shops or bars, Erie has always been synonymous with not just ‘I love that spot,’ but with ‘I know the owners.’ That’s one thing that I think has set us apart from other areas for years. When you interface with business owners you allow them to get a feel for the community they serve.”
Other Parade Street businesses are anticipating the arrival of Coffee Bar by Legenderie.
“We have two community members who are invested in Erie and invested in seeing the Parade Street corridor begin to thrive and have Erie be a better place for all community members,” Taylor said. “As (a) community we need to do our part and make sure we show up and support them.”
It’s not just the arrival of a new business, but the revitalization of the area that has current businesses looking toward the future with a sense excitement.
“The arrival of new businesses like Legenderie reflects the positive momentum in the area,” Katie Jones, regional president of ERIEBANK said. “It is encouraging to see strong partnerships among organizations that are helping move the community forward, along with the ongoing investment and energy dedicated to Parade Street’s success. We look forward to welcoming even more businesses to the corridor and remain proud to support the growth of the communities we serve.”
Contact Nicholas Sorensen at Nsorensen@usatodayco.com.
(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Legenderie seeks to serve new community with Parade Street location
Reporting by Nicholas Sorensen, Erie Times-News / Erie Times-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
A new coffee shop, The Coffee Bar, is planned for space at 1313 Parade St. in Erie, Pa., shown on Sept. 16, 2026. GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS USA TODAY Network, Reuters
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This story was originally published September 21, 2026 at 4:55 AM.