{"id":313396,"date":"2026-10-24T12:50:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-24T12:50:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/313396\/"},"modified":"2026-10-24T12:50:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-24T12:50:09","slug":"retail-watch-couple-upgrades-from-trailer-to-new-cafe-in-the-lehigh-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/313396\/","title":{"rendered":"Retail Watch: Couple upgrades from trailer to new cafe in the Lehigh Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"

A couple has expanded their coffee operations from a mobile trailer to a new cafe they opened in the Lehigh Valley.<\/p>\n

Onward Coffee opened Oct. 16 at The Shops at 3900 Hamilton in South Whitehall Township, Scarlett and Steve Kemper said, where a former stationery store called the paperbag<\/a> used to operate.<\/p>\n

Partnered with Mad Catter Coffee Roasters, the cafe offers coffee, lattes, americanos, cappuccinos, hot chocolate, cold brews and foods such as breakfast sandwiches, specialty toast and chicken salad wraps.<\/p>\n

Outside of Onward Coffee, Scarlett works at the Buckeye Partners supply chain, while Steve previously worked as executive chef at Mr. Lee\u2019s Noodles in Bethlehem and at Go Fish! in Sinking Spring, Berks County.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to give all the credit to my wife,\u201d Steve said. \u201cWe were brainstorming after we had my daughter [Shea] and I was like, \u2018I don\u2019t want to be in the restaurant industry, married to it. Like, what can I do still and be creative and express myself with food or something?\u2019 \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cHe missed so many big events prior to us having our daughter and never complained ever because he just loved being in the kitchen,\u201d Scarlett said. \u201cAnd then after we had our daughter, he felt that he was starting to miss out on those really important moments. He wanted to be home for bedtime.\u201d<\/p>\n

They opened the mobile trailer in November 2024, Scarlett said, and have been parked for the last year and a half near Barre3 at The Shops.<\/p>\n

If they explored a mobile option first, Steve figured, \u201cwe can kind of see where works best for us instead of one location. And I think that really played a huge role in our success, is building a community first with that mobile [trailer], and then having the brick-and-mortar to where they know what we are and what we\u2019re about.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even with that community, they didn\u2019t feel ready when Barre3 owner Brittany Morse notified them that the paperbag was leaving and that she recommended them for the space.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so funny because Steve and I are both very risk-adverse people, especially after becoming parents,\u201d Scarlett said. \u201cWe are very calculated in our decisions and just everything kind of comes down to our family at this point because it\u2019s not just both of us anymore. We have a little one to consider. But again, I\u2019m kind of the dreamer sometimes. I\u2019m like, \u2018Let\u2019s just look at it.\u2019 \u2026 And we went and we were cracking up because Steve was walking through the shop and he was getting sweaty and I was like, \u2018Oh no, he likes it.\u2019 \u201c<\/p>\n

The cafe is open 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A Banana Foster Blondie Latte is prepared at Onward Coffee on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. The coffee shop will have a soft opening Oct. 16 and full opening Oct. 17 at The Shops at 3900 Hamilton in South Whitehall Township. It will serve coffee, lattes, americanos, hot chocolate, cold brews and food such as breakfast sandwiches and pastries. (Monica Cabrera\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A Banana Foster Blondie Latte is prepared at Onward Coffee on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. The coffee shop will have a soft opening Oct. 16 and full opening Oct. 17 at The Shops at 3900 Hamilton in South Whitehall Township. It will serve coffee, lattes, americanos, hot chocolate, cold brews and food such as breakfast sandwiches and pastries. (Monica Cabrera\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Onward<\/p>\n

Onward Coffee will have a soft opening Oct. 16 and full opening Oct. 17 at The Shops at 3900 Hamilton in South Whitehall Township. It will serve coffee, lattes, americanos, hot chocolate, cold brews and food such as breakfast sandwiches and pastries. (Monica Cabrera\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A Banana Foster Blondie Latte is prepared at Onward Coffee on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. The coffee shop will have a soft opening Oct. 16 and full opening Oct. 17 at The Shops at 3900 Hamilton in South Whitehall Township. It will serve coffee, lattes, americanos, hot chocolate, cold brews and food such as breakfast sandwiches and pastries. (Monica Cabrera\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Steve<\/p>\n

Steve and Scarlett Kemper owners of Onward Coffee stand at their shop that will have a soft opening Oct. 16 and full opening Oct. 17 at The Shops at 3900 Hamilton in South Whitehall Township. It will serve coffee, lattes, americanos, hot chocolate, cold brews and food such as breakfast sandwiches and pastries. (Monica Cabrera\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Steve<\/p>\n

Steve and Scarlett Kemper owners of Onward Coffee stand at their shop that will have a soft opening Oct. 16 and full opening Oct. 17 at The Shops at 3900 Hamilton in South Whitehall Township. It will serve coffee, lattes, americanos, hot chocolate, cold brews and food such as breakfast sandwiches and pastries. (Monica Cabrera\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Jeffrey<\/p>\n

Jeffrey Wetzel of Mad Catter Coffee Roasters trains baristas on how to prepare specialty coffee on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026 at Onward Coffee that will have a soft opening Oct. 16 and full opening Oct. 17 at The Shops at 3900 Hamilton in South Whitehall Township. It will serve coffee, lattes, americanos, hot chocolate, cold brews and food such as breakfast sandwiches and pastries. (Monica Cabrera\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Jeffrey<\/p>\n

Jeffrey Wetzel of Mad Catter Coffee Roasters trains baristas on how to prepare specialty coffee on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026 at Onward Coffee that will have a soft opening Oct. 16 and full opening Oct. 17 at The Shops at 3900 Hamilton in South Whitehall Township. It will serve coffee, lattes, americanos, hot chocolate, cold brews and food such as breakfast sandwiches and pastries. (Monica Cabrera\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A Banana Foster Blondie Latte is prepared at Onward Coffee on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. The coffee shop will have a soft opening Oct. 16 and full opening Oct. 17 at The Shops at 3900 Hamilton in South Whitehall Township. It will serve coffee, lattes, americanos, hot chocolate, cold brews and food such as breakfast sandwiches and pastries. (Monica Cabrera\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Onward<\/p>\n

Onward Coffee will have a soft opening Oct. 16 and full opening Oct. 17 at The Shops at 3900 Hamilton in South Whitehall Township. It will serve coffee, lattes, americanos, hot chocolate, cold brews and food such as breakfast sandwiches and pastries. (Monica Cabrera\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Onward<\/p>\n

Onward Coffee will have a soft opening Oct. 16 and full opening Oct. 17 at The Shops at 3900 Hamilton in South Whitehall Township. It will serve coffee, lattes, americanos, hot chocolate, cold brews and food such as breakfast sandwiches and pastries. (Monica Cabrera\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Onward<\/p>\n

Onward Coffee will have a soft opening Oct. 16 and full opening Oct. 17 at The Shops at 3900 Hamilton in South Whitehall Township. It will serve coffee, lattes, americanos, hot chocolate, cold brews and food such as breakfast sandwiches and pastries. (Monica Cabrera\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Onward<\/p>\n

Onward Coffee will have a soft opening Oct. 16 and full opening Oct. 17 at The Shops at 3900 Hamilton in South Whitehall Township. It will serve coffee, lattes, americanos, hot chocolate, cold brews and food such as breakfast sandwiches and pastries. (Monica Cabrera\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Steve<\/p>\n

Steve and Scarlett Kemper owners of Onward Coffee sit at their shop that will have a soft opening Oct. 16 and full opening Oct. 17 at The Shops at 3900 Hamilton in South Whitehall Township. It will serve coffee, lattes, americanos, hot chocolate, cold brews and food such as breakfast sandwiches and pastries. (Monica Cabrera\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 14<\/p>\n

A Banana Foster Blondie Latte is prepared at Onward Coffee on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. The coffee shop will have a soft opening Oct. 16 and full opening Oct. 17 at The Shops at 3900 Hamilton in South Whitehall Township. It will serve coffee, lattes, americanos, hot chocolate, cold brews and food such as breakfast sandwiches and pastries. (Monica Cabrera\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a>
\nLehigh Valley retail and restaurant news in brief<\/p>\n

Golden Corral: The restaurant chain has closed its only Lehigh Valley location<\/a> next to the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township.<\/p>\n

Slate Belt Brewing Co.: The brewpub has closed<\/a> at 50 Broadway in Bangor.<\/p>\n

Bella Casa Kitchen & Bath: The home remodeling and renovation firm announced a grand opening it held Thursday for its new showroom<\/a> at 3404 Hamilton Blvd. in South Whitehall Township.<\/p>\n

TeaVa Rolls: The Vietnamese-style cafe held a grand opening<\/a> Oct. 18 at the Trolley Barn Public Market in Quakertown.<\/p>\n

Retail Watch is a weekly column covering retail and restaurant news in the Lehigh Valley. Have a question, tip, or want to see something in the area? Contact retail reporter Graysen Golter at retailwatch@mcall.com. Sign up for our weekly Retail Watch newsletter at mcall.com\/retailwatchsignup.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A couple has expanded their coffee operations from a mobile trailer to a new cafe they opened in…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":313397,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[153,155,154,60,182,436,432],"class_list":["post-313396","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-bethlehem","tag-bethlehem","tag-bethlehem-headlines","tag-bethlehem-news","tag-business","tag-local-news","tag-retail","tag-top-stories-tmc"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/313396","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=313396"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/313396\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/313397"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=313396"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=313396"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=313396"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}