MACUNGIE, Pa. – The holiday season is in full swing, and individuals looking for a jolt of energy or just a spot to decompress have a new cafe to frequent in Lehigh County.
Roasties, a newly opened mobile cafe serving a variety of specialty coffee drinks, is expanding operations with its first brick-and-mortar location, set to open Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 17 N. Poplar St. in Macungie.
Roasties, a newly opened mobile cafe serving a variety of specialty coffee drinks, is expanding operations with a brick-and-mortar location at 17 N. Poplar St. in Macungie.
Roasties
The space, near Macungie Memorial Park, was previously home to Mad Dogs Hot Dogs and Sugar Shack.
“We’re super excited and ready to invite everyone inside, especially now that it’s getting cold,” co-owner Melinda Schneck told 69 News.
“Our customers have been really patient, waiting out in the cold at our trailer. So, now they can come inside to stay warm, and that will be really nice for everyone.”
Schneck and her husband, Josh Elmer, in April opened Roasties as a mobile operation, setting up the teardrop trailer at Lehigh Valley area businesses, festivals and other venues.
Over the past several months, it also regularly served customers at Bear Swamp Beverage.
Business has taken off, leading the Macungie couple to seek a new permanent location for Roasties.
Roasties’ new brick-and-mortar location will operate 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Schneck said.
“The community’s been incredible,” Schneck told 69 News.
“We live in Macungie and love Macungie, and the community has been just awesome and super supportive. As the weather began to get a little cold, we quickly realized that we needed to find a place where we could serve people without them standing outside.”
At the new Poplar Street location, Roasties will offer its full drink lineup along with food selections such as breakfast burritos and local pastries.
Sweet and savory pastries will be available starting Wednesday, and the burritos will be available starting Friday, Schneck said.
Customers can enjoy hot drinks such as cappuccino, Americano, mocha, lattes and hot chocolate, as well as cold drinks such as cold brew coffee, iced chai lattes and iced mint green tea.
Various signature drinks include “Monkey Biz Latte” (latte with banana, maple and brown sugar) and “Bear Swamp Iced Mocha” (latte with chocolate and salted caramel cold foam).
Roasties
The business also offers seasonal specials such as “S’more the Merrier” (s’mores latte topped with chocolate cold foam and graham cracker dust) and pumpkin chai (chai latte with house-made pumpkin syrup and pumpkin cold foam).
“Our most popular coffee drink is our Hunny Bunny Cold Brew,” Schneck said. “We make our own cold brew in-house, and it’s a cinnamon, vanilla and honey spice blend that we put into our cold brew, topped off with our house-made cold foam.”
In addition to serving up specialty coffee drinks, Roasties’ brick-and-mortar spot will offer other beverages such as artisan teas and house-made, seasonal lemonade.
In terms of food, guests will be able to enjoy local baked goods such as oatmeal squares, croissants, blueberry and peach galettes and vegan, gluten-free apple cake and banana matcha muffins, along with artisanal, pre-made breakfast burritos sourced from Denver-based Dis Burrito.
“[Dis Burrito] ships its burritos to cafes across the country, and they’re incredible,” Schneck said.
Over the past couple of months, Elmer and Schneck implemented renovations that include a new roll-up door that will be opened during nice weather to allow for an al fresco feel, Schneck said.
The café is nestled in a cozy, tree-filled area, and the couple wanted to make the most of the spot’s scenic surroundings.
“The views of Macungie Memorial Park are so pretty,” Schneck said.
After the café opens, the Roasties trailer will continue to be used for public and private events, including festivals, weddings, corporate parties and teacher appreciation days.
Elmer and Schneck enjoy brightening people’s days with great coffee and have been blown away by the community’s support and excitement for the business’ forthcoming permanent location.
“When we first rolled up in our little teardrop trailer, we never imagined how much love, support, and caffeine-fueled joy this community would pour into Roasties,” the couple stated in a summer announcement on the business’ Facebook page.
“Because of YOU, we’re taking the next big leap… Roasties is opening a brick & mortar café right here in Macungie this November! We’re humbled, grateful, and honestly giddy AF to create a cozy permanent spot where you can grab your favorites, try new seasonal creations, and hang out with us year-round. From the bottom of our coffee-loving hearts… thank you for believing in us, cheering us on, and making this dream possible. We can’t wait to welcome you into our new home this fall.”
For the latest Roasties update, follow the business’ pages on Facebook and Instagram. Info: roasties.coffee.