LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Aly Di Costanzo, left, and Ali Belcher, right, are pictured in the serving window of Two Maidens Cafe & Tea Room’s instant ramen bar. The variety of ramen available to choose from is displayed on the walls in front.

LOCK HAVEN — A new year means new offerings for Two Maidens Cafe & Tea Room, which has expanded its food offerings to include ramen and other Asian foods.

The store, which opened in 2023, is owned by Ali Belcher and Aly Di Costanzo, who are always looking to offer something new and exciting — whether that be food related or with its ever-changing inventory.

The shop, which sells a wide range of products from jewelry and other accessories, books, crystals, local artistry, tapestries, clothing and more, now includes a made-to-order instant ramen bar.

Customers can create their own, starting with a base ramen and then add goodies like proteins, vegetables, dumplings and more.

“We have a rotating selection of flavored instant ramen noodles from all over Asia,” Belcher said.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Pictured are products in one of two front windows at Two Maidens Cafe & Tea Room.

Di Costanzo also notes they have house ramen, which is curated in the store. She added to keep an eye out for homemade noodles to be added to the menu.

For those who are feeling a bit adventurous, you can also try their special dessert ramen with Oreo noodles. This, Di Costanzo, is a handmade special.

Outside of its ramen options, Two Maidens offers a large variety of locally sourced Asian pre-packaged foods.

“It’s sort of like an aisle in an Asian grocery store,” Di Costanzo said. “We buy from local stores to support our local economy here in the area.”

These food items include milk teas, small bites — spicy dumplings, fish cake cheese corn dogs, soup dumplings and Xiao Long Bao — along with steamed buns in savory and sweet flavors.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Two Maidens Cafe & Tea Room now carries a variety of pre-packaged snacks which it purchases from local Asian grocery stores.

Though ramen and its food products have begun to take center stage, that doesn’t mean Di Costanzo and Belcher have forgotten the main goal of opening Two Maidens — providing unique inventory continues.

Right now, the pair aims to expand its book selection in the coming months.

Belcher notes Two Maiden carries a selection of Manga, both popular and obscure, along with other materials of interest to their shoppers.

Keeping with the theme, there is also a wide selection of stickers, mini figurines and stickers of Manga characters, popular TV and movie characters, neat designs and more.

The shop also features a “local window” that features products by local artists.

“We’re happy to bring in even more local artists to showcase,” Di Costanzo said.

Though the shop is mostly a retail space, Di Costanzo and Belcher noted they’re happy to showcase a variety of art — from digital art, mixed media, paintings, books and more.

“We’re really focused on community,” Di Costanzo said. “And when we say community, we mean everyone.”

Belcher noted many customers who have come to the store noted the pair have created an environment where they can feel safe to be themselves.

“The customers are glad we’re here and have a ‘space like this.’ They can be their weird selves,” she said.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS One of Two Maidens Cafe & Tea Room’s front windows features a number of products created by local artists.

Two Maidens, of course, wouldn’t be what it is today without its staple items — tea and coffees.

The menu features a wide range of items, with the teas in particular drawing their names from Greek goddesses.

Belcher noted the teas are typically blended for a purpose, whether it’s to diminish nausea, pain, to center yourself or more.

Outside of its teas, the shop also offers a variety of coffees, lattes and Pride sodas.

Both owners noted their employee, Ashley, is constantly coming up with new drink ideas to add to the menu.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Specialty baked goods including macarons, moon cakes and mochi are pictured at Two Maidens Cafe & Tea Room.

Di Costanzo said the coffee is made from beans roasted by a small, women owned business.

“They’re the best coffee beans I’ve ever had,” she said.

Whether you’re coming to Two Maidens Cafe & Tea Room to browse the wide selection of items for sale, or to pick up a tea or coffee, Belcher and Di Costanzo hope they’ve created a space for you to feel welcome and comfortable.

Two Maidens is open Tuesday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 12 to 7 p.m. and closed Sunday and Monday.

To learn more about what Two Maidens has to offer, and keep up with what’s new at the store, check out their Facebook page at Two Maidens Cafe & Tea Room.

Two Maidens Cafe & Tea Room

108 E. Main St., Lock Haven, PA 17745