PHOTO BY JESSICA SINICHAK
After popping up across the Pittsburgh region in a mobile coffee truck, The Roaming Bean has found a home — in the Strip District.
Penny Folino, owner of the popular beverage truck — which won “Best Local Coffee Shop” in Pittsburgh’s Magazine’s 2025 Best of the ‘Burgh contest — is opening a brick-and-mortar storefront at 1455 Smallman St., adjacent to Tapville Social.
Although a one-day-only soft opening was held earlier in January, the location currently is closed in anticipation of the official grand opening, which is expected to be announced in the coming days.
Featuring warm, neutral shades, the cafe’s cozy, plant-filled interior has large-scale wooden cutouts shaped like coffee beans scattered across the ceiling.
Known for its decadent lattes — among the flavors are Cookie butter, Fluffernutter and a Tiramisu Latte topped with a lady finger — The Roaming Bean’s new shop also will feature baked goods, including treats from Finleyville-based pastry caterer, Icing on the Cake.
Until an opening date is announced, those craving caffeine can still get their fix with The Roaming Bean’s mobile truck, which continues to pop up around Pittsburgh. As for where the Bean will be, the truck’s schedule is posted weekly on the business’s Instagram page.
The opening of The Roaming Bean’s first cafe comes just after another coffee retailer in the neighborhood shut its doors.
PHOTO BY MATT RAY PHOTOGRAPHY
Staffed by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Bitty & Beau’s Pittsburgh location closed near the end of December, citing“unsustainable financial loss,” according to a letter posted on the Smallman Street store’s window.
Days later, Bitty & Beau’s announced on its social media accounts that the company would roll out a mobile business, dubbed “Bitty & Beau’s Coffee Cruiser” in Pittsburgh.
“Stay tuned… this is just the beginning,” the post said.
Named after their daughter, Lillie, who was born with autism, and children Bitty and Beau, who both have Down syndrome, Amy and Ben Wright founded Bitty and Beau’s in 2016 in Wilmington, N.C. The Strip District location opened in April of 2024 with 18 employees, who work side-by-side with typically developing supervisors.
The chain has more than a dozen locations in 14 states and gives meaningful employment to more than 450 people with disabilities, according to the Bitty & Beau’s website.