NAZARETH, Pa. – A cozy, new spot for homemade quiches, soups, sandwiches, pastries, specialty drinks and more is welcoming customers at a historic property in Northampton County.
Circle Cafe on Main, a cafe inspired by European cafes and the owner’s desire to create a “community-centered gathering space,” opened Monday, April 20, at 2 N. Main St. in Nazareth.
Circle Cafe on Main
Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Monday.
On the business’ first day, the turnout and feedback from the community was very positive, Owner Jennifer O’Neill told 69 News on Monday.
Several items, including the focaccia, deviled eggs (classic and bacon chive) and Main Street Meatloaf Melt (on ciabatta with cheddar) and chicken salad (on brioche or to-go) proved especially popular, O’Neill said.
O’Neill, a longtime Nazareth resident, last year purchased the historic North Main Street property – dating to the early 19th century – and spent the next several months extensively renovating the building, which was most recently home to a salon.
Circle Cafe on Main, a cafe inspired by European cafes and the owner’s desire to create a “community-centered gathering space,” is located at 2 N. Main St. in Nazareth.
Ryan Kneller
The property, located across from Nazareth Moravian Church in the borough’s circle, has rich history that O’Neill wished to maintain while also putting her own personal touch on it.
With help from the Moravian Historical Society, O’Neill recently learned that the building traces its origins to around 1820.
Allentown-based Lehigh Financial Group arranged the Small Business Administration loan that financed the purchase and renovations, and Lehigh Financial Group president Jeff Barber guided O’Neill through the loan process and also connected her with the professionals needed to bring her vision to life.
“I wouldn’t have gotten to the finish line without Jeff,” O’Neill said. “He knew everything, was always responsive, and genuinely cared about helping me get this business off the ground.”
O’Neill, who spent over 20 years in corporate software sales, was inspired to make a professional change following a family trip to Europe and a growing desire to do something more meaningful and fulfilling.
Circle Cafe on Main, a cafe inspired by European cafes and the owner’s desire to create a “community-centered gathering space,” is located at 2 N. Main St. in Nazareth.
Circle Cafe on Main
When she discovered the historic stone building in the heart of Nazareth’s circle, she knew it was the perfect fit.
“It was everything I never knew I always wanted,” she said. “The windows, the views, the aesthetics of the building just spoke to me. I knew this was the place.”
O’Neill and a team of helpers implemented minimal structural changes while adding new flooring, fresh paint and a fully equipped kitchen housing a convection oven, commercial refrigerator and other professional-grade appliances.
Circle Cafe on Main offers homemade quiches, soups, sandwiches and pastries, as well as convenient take-home dinners.
There are also salads such as “bacon & blue” (mixed greens, tomato, egg, bacon, blue cheese crumbles, glazed pecans and croutons) and Santorini green (mixed greens, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, feta, Kalamata olives and vinaigrette).
Circle Cafe on Main
There are no deep fryers, and all items are freshly made with care, including deli-style pasta salad, chicken salad and Mediterranean quinoa salad.
Other menu highlights include house-made herb focaccia; sandwiches such as a “Main Street Meatloaf Melt” (toasted ciabatta, garlic butter, house meatloaf, smoky BBQ aioli, crispy onions and optional cheddar or provolone) and pesto chicken (grilled chicken, melted provolone, roasted red peppers, arugula and pesto mayo on toasted brioche with optional bacon or prosciutto); and sweets such as limoncello mascarpone cake and chocolate mountain cake (chocolate sponge, mousse and ganache).
“It’s about high-quality, convenient food that brings people together,” O’Neill said. “I want it to be a place where people feel at home, whether they’re stopping in for a quick lunch or spending an afternoon with friends.”
Made-from-scratch soups will rotate, and special dishes also will be regularly featured, O’Neill said.
Circle Cafe on Main, a cafe inspired by European cafes and the owner’s desire to create a “community-centered gathering space,” is located at 2 N. Main St. in Nazareth.
Circle Cafe on Main
“We may do a Flatbread Friday,” O’Neill added.
“I’ve also been getting inquiries about evening hours. So, after we’re settled, we might try doing a dinner one night a week – maybe a Thursday night, reservation-only kind of event with two seatings. We can have a lot of fun here, for sure.”
Circle Cafe on Main also will offer a rotating selection of to-go dinners such as homemade lasagna for busy, on-the-go individuals who want a homemade meal that they can heat up at home, O’Neill said.
For coffee, the cafe is partnering with West Chester-based Golden Valley Coffee Roasters.
Guests can enjoy drip coffee, iced coffee and specialty coffee beverages such as cappuccino and lattes, along with other drinks such as homemade iced teas and lemonade.
Circle Cafe on Main features a cozy, welcoming vibe with peacock wallpaper, vibrant green and blue walls and fun artwork.
Circle Cafe on Main, a cafe inspired by European cafes and the owner’s desire to create a “community-centered gathering space,” is located at 2 N. Main St. in Nazareth.
Circle Cafe on Main
Seating for around 20 guests is available at a mix of lounge furniture and dining tables with chairs.
“We’re creating a space with a boho, historic vibe,” O’Neill said. “Think deep peacock walls, a velvet couch, and natural lighting that makes it warm and inviting.”
The cafe occupies the building’s ground floor, and there’s also a possibility that operations could expand to the upstairs down the line, O’Neill said.“I want this café to be a hub for the community and an extension of my family,” she said. “A place where people make memories.”
For the latest Circle Cafe on Main updates, follow the business’ pages on Facebook and Instagram.