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Avenue 209 Coffee House to celebrate 15 years next week; special events planned

By LAURA JAMESON ljameson@lockhaven.com 7 min read

LOCK HAVEN -- Creating a community space for anyone to enjoy was always the end goal for Avenue 209 Coffee House. Now 15 years later that vision is a reality and so much more.

Josh Grimes, who manages the facility along with Jared Conti, said the idea behind Avenue 209 began when he started out as a pastor at 22.

Grimes said he was working at a small church on South Fairview Street and noticed that the congregation was small and not seeing any growth.

Through conversations with students at then-Lock Haven University and others in the community, he came to the conclusion that a classic setting wasn't what people looked for.

"As we talked to college students and young adults, we found many had a misconception of what church was or had bad experiences with traditional churches in the past," Grimes said. "The Bible doesn't give you an outline of a Sunday gathering. The church is the people."

So, with that in mind, Grimes, along with his wife and Conti, with a hoard of other supporters, set out to start something new.

Conti already had the dream of opening a coffee shop, so it was down to the pair going to school and learning the ins and outs of the business and hunting down a location.

"We wanted a place in proximity to the university and the community at large," Grimes said.

Grimes explained the coffee shop -- which also hosts Sunday services, called gatherings -- is owned by the Christian Ministry Alliance and he and Conti handle day-to-day operations. He further noted the coffee shop and property is still a for-profit business and is not considered a non-profit, even with the church services being held in the building.

Grimes said he began holding gatherings once each Sunday, but found the number of folks interested in what they were doing began to grow. Now, the current Pastor, Chad Long, holds three different services each Sunday.

The religious aspect is just one facet of what Avenue 209 has built during its 15 years in the community, though it is what anchors the business.

What it's known for within Lock Haven and surrounding areas is its coffee and community atmosphere. That idea was something fostered very early on when the idea to create this new space came about.

"It's been a labor of love," Grimes said.

At its start, Grimes noted things weren't easy. He said they would often give away 8-ounce coffees for free between certain hours in the morning to bring people in.

Conti said he can even remember running coffee out to drivers who were stopped along Bellefonte Avenue due to a passing train.

However, over time, the business has built a clientele that keeps coming back for more.

Throughout these years, the goal of creating quality coffee for the shop has remained firm. For the first 10 years or so, Grimes said he had a deal with Alabaster Coffee Roaster & Tea Company in Williamsport to roast coffee beans at its location.

Then, five years ago -- and thanks to the community coming together -- the shop was able to purchase its own roaster.

Since then, Grimes said Avenue 209 has been able to roast its own beans and create even more blends, dark and light roasts and more. They've even been selling them to wholesalers and have taken part in local fundraisers.

Grimes said his wife, Sarah, recently helped roast and bag a large quantity of beans that were sold for a fundraiser in the Keystone Central School District.

The business has four people able to roast beans, including the couple. That product is readily available for purchase at the business both in whole bean and in your favorite coffee.

The shop serves a wide range of coffee, espressos with various flavors including in-house specials, a variety of teas, along with smoothies and food like sandwiches, bagels and baked goods.

"There's a good mix of options for people to choose from," Conti said.

Avenue 209 has also served as a hub for arts and culture through the years, with Jared bringing in local artists to showcase and musicians from the local area and beyond.

"We try to get a new artist each month. The Central Mountain Middle School students are here a few times a year," he said.

Avenue 209 also offers late night study sessions for college students, opening up the coffee shop and its second floor office space for students in need of a quiet place to prepare for finals each semester.

"We wanted this to be a place where everyone is welcome and it's open to our neighbors," Grimes explained.

And with the continued support it sees from the community, Grimes said there are plans to create a coffee trailer that can bring their local brews and espressos right to your events.

"I'm hoping to have that together by late spring or early summer," he said.

What it all boils down to, for both Grimes and Conti, is creating connections with customers and the community.

Conti told stories of regulars he's had over the years, and can even recall visitors from out of the area that make sure to stop in when they pass through.

"I see a lot of people stop in from Interstate 80," he said. "And I also see a couple from Ohio who stop when they travel to New York City about once a year."

All in all, the pair feel very grateful for what they've been able to create -- all through their faith and help and support from loved ones.

Grimes said at the start their goal was to simply survive and keep their idea going.

"By God's grace we're surviving and thriving," he said. "We have no desire to open a new location. We're excited to be here and offer new things like wholesale coffee; the new trailer and other things."

Conti said in the early 2000s he'd traveled to Pittsburgh with the goal of one day opening a coffee shop.

When he returned to the area later, and attended Grimes' church on Fairview Street, he saw the perfect path for him.

"I think a lot of the stuff that's happened in my life wouldn't have happened if I weren't here," he said. "The Lord just handed me this opportunity. Life wouldn't be the same without a coffee shop."

Big plans are coming up to celebrate Avenue 209's 15th year in Lock Haven.

On Monday, Feb. 12, Sarah said they will hold an Open Mic Night featuring students from Central Mountain High School's Band and Orchestra Club from 6 to 8 p.m.

"It'll primarily be a fundraiser and feature the students rocking out," she said.

On Thursday, Feb. 16, a day after marking the official 15th anniversary, Conti will bring his duo -- The Echo and Sway -- to the shop's stage. Echo and Sway features Conti and Anthony J. LaLota from 6 to 8 p.m.

Conti said the duo plan to perform a lot of their original work, some covers and maybe even tell a story or two along the way.

Closing out the week on Feb. 16, Sarah said she's planned a special "Night Flight" event. Thirty seats will be available, with each person getting the chance to test out a flight of different coffees and espresso drinks.

Those interested in reserving a seat can stop by the business to check in with Sarah or another member of the staff.

Sarah noted other specials will also be featured throughout the week including some Valentine's Day themed drinks.

To keep up with Avenue 209 you can follow them on Facebook at Avenue Coffee; Instagram at Avenue 209.

Avenue 209 Coffee House is located at 209 Bellefonte Ave., Lock Haven, and is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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