Delanie’s Coffee opens new location in Big Idea Center

Pitt students looking for a coffee and study space will soon have a new option near campus.

Delanie’s Coffee, a popular Pittsburgh cafe with locations in South Side and Shadyside, is expanding into Oakland, replacing the former Saxbys inside Pitt’s Big Idea Center on Forbes Avenue. The shop opens today, Oct. 9, and was originally slated to open on Sept. 11 before flooding caused the opening to be pushed back. 

According to Delanie’s owners and the Big Idea Center, the new Delanie’s location will feature signature specialty drinks, locally sourced food and a community-focused atmosphere that aligns with the mission of the Big Idea Center.

Lavinia Ivanica, one of the business owners of Delanie’s, said the move to Oakland was initiated by the cafe because they wanted to expand their customer base into a student audience. 

“We noticed that the majority of our customers were students,” Ivanica said. “We loved how the student community responded to what we do and to our brand, and we wanted to continue what we were doing.”

The opportunity to open the new location in the Big Idea Center at Pitt wasn’t initially part of Delanie’s Oakland plan.

“We were looking for a place in Oakland. We were just talking to Pitt, and this idea was brought up, and we just went for it,” Ivanica said. “It wasn’t something that we necessarily were looking for, it was something that came up.”

Ivanica said the physical space was designed with students in mind and will look different from the former Saxbys.

“We try to create a space that’s very cozy and comfortable for students,” Ivanica said. “We wanted to create a space where students are comfortable to come in and hang out.” 

Rhonda Schuldt, the director of the Big Idea Center, said Delanie’s will bring a new atmosphere to the space.

“The renovations have warmed the space up. It’s going to feel much more like a coffee shop,” Schuldt said. “It’s going to be an on-campus place, but it’s not going to feel like you’re on campus.”

According to Schuldt, the design of the new space will enhance and support the mission of the Big Idea Center. 

“It celebrates the kind of the spirit of the students that are coming into this center and wanting to impact the world in a positive way through innovative and entrepreneurial action,” Schuldt said. “We’re excited that Delanie’s [is here] and is about community and building community and strengthening community.”

Ivanica said the local focus of Delanie’s extends beyond the coffee shop itself, as Delanie’s sources nearly all of its food and ingredients from local suppliers and collaborates with small businesses such as Ghost Coffee Collab, Driftwood Oven and 350° Bakery, as well as ingredients from Pennsylvania Amish farms. 

“Every food item that people will find in the shop is not frozen stuff. It’s stuff that we get from local bakeries and suppliers, which we love, and we think that they’re awesome,” Ivanica said.

For Pitt students, the new cafe offers another option for coffee, food and study spots in Oakland. Claire Shelley, a senior civil engineering student, is excited about the new location and said that Delanie’s is her favorite coffee shop that she frequents once or twice a week in the summer.

“The South Side location is probably my favorite coffee place in Pittsburgh,” Shelley said. “I think it’s really awesome to bring Delanie’s in. Having someone come in that’s Pittsburgh-local is really great for the community, and it puts Delanie’s on people’s radars.”

Shelley said that in addition to the coffee and food, she is looking forward to the energy that a coffee shop like Delanie’s brings.

“I don’t really like coffee shops that are super sterile,” Shelley said. “[I want] something that’s comfortable to be hanging out in for a while while you get some work done.”

Emma Schramm, a senior anthropology and public & professional writing major, said that she enjoyed Delanie’s Shadyside location and is excited about Delanie’s opening in the Big Idea Center because of its established location as a study spot.

“[The Shadyside Delanie’s] was always a treat because I couldn’t just walk there on my way to class,” Schramm said. “I’ll feel more motivated to work and learn with a delicious drink as opposed to Saxbys, which I could get anywhere on campus.”

Cami Samuel, a senior marketing major and former Saxbys manager who has worked at locations at Hillman, the Cathedral of Learning and the Big Idea Center said that the comfortable environment of Delanie’s will suit the space in the Big Idea Center better than Saxbys did.

“Saxbys is really great to grab in between classes, but it’s not necessarily a place to sit down and drink coffee and work with friends,” Samuel said. “I think the Big Idea Center has the seating and the vibes for that, and Delanie’s is also good for that.”

Samuel said that she looks forward to Delanie’s acting as a comfortable environment and “third space” for students.

“One of the most important things in a coffee shop is just a really comfortable vibe,” Samuel said. “It’s going to be a good third space to meet up with your friends.”