DUNMORE — A new coffee shop, located in the same building as a longtime borough business, serves espresso, smoothies and açai bowls along with the traditional cup of joe.
Dunmore Corner Blend opened June 12 at 200 E. Drinker St. Joe Marchese, co-owner of Building the Kingdom of God, along with his wife, Kimberly, believe bringing in the coffee shop will attract new customers.
“We basically did this to improve the (foot) traffic,” he said. “It’s very different clientele coming in. … Hopefully they buy some gifts. We get a lot of traffic from the salon and we have the new high rise (Bucktown Center) over here. I’m sure that’s going to help. We’re just trying to build up the business a little bit.”
Patrick Ahern of Clarks Summit, owner of Dunmore Corner Blend, noted the Marcheses developed a quality business over the past decade-plus and he looks forward to the continued working relationship.
Kristina Worobey, of Dunmore, drinks a matcha latte with strawberry and rose at Dunmore Corner Blend in Dunmore Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Patrick Ahern, who co-owns Dunmore Corner Blend with his wife Marnel, stands in the front of his coffee shop with Director of Operations Sarah Homa at the coffee shop on E. Drinker St. in Dunmore Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The hours of operation are attached to the window at Dunmore Corner Blend in Dunmore Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The Tropical Tide smoothie sits on a table in Dunmore Corner Blend in Dunmore Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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Kristina Worobey, of Dunmore, drinks a matcha latte with strawberry and rose at Dunmore Corner Blend in Dunmore Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
“The Kingdom of God has been there 12 years,” he said. ‘It’s well established and well loved. It’s more of a partnership where they always wanted a coffee shop and I wanted to do a smoothie bowl shop. It kind of married those two concepts together.”
Mayor Max Conway said the arrangement should work well for both businesses.
“It seems like it’s a win-win for both parties on that one,” he said. “The Kingdom of God has been there for a very long time, so for them to get creative and spur on a new business, it’s great to see.”
It’s exciting to see a new small business investing in Dunmore, he said. It creates energy and opportunities, and gives people a reason to spend time downtown.
Ahern described the community’s response as positive and welcoming.
“We’re noticing the local businesses and residents like to support small businesses in Dunmore, especially a new one,” he said.
Ahern stressed the staff values public feedback and will work to provide items most in demand.
“We’ll continue tailoring the menu and products to what the customers really like and want,” he said.
Protein peanut butter balls are a popular menu item, said Sarah Homa, director of operations. The shop may add summer refreshers and frozen hot chocolate in the winter, she said.