New coffee shop looks to bring a different kind of ‘vibe’ to downtown State College
Vibe Coffee Co. is ready to welcome downtown State College into the brand’s new, urban-inspired coffee shop. A grand opening is slated for Thursday.
Ethan Steiger, CEO, co-founded the business with partner Tabeel Noel. Steiger, a recent Penn State graduate, was looking for a job in marketing when Noel broached the idea.
“I’ve always had a dream of starting a coffee shop,” Steiger said. “I always envisioned I would work in some other capacity for maybe 5 to 10 years, building income, and then, when I had the means to do so, I could start that shop. I never really looked at that and said that’s something that for sure will happen, but it was a cool dream of mine.”
When Noel proposed the two launch the business following their college graduations, it was an opportunity Steiger leaped at.
So why coffee? According to Steiger, “As we were thinking about what entrepreneurial endeavor we could partake in ... at the time ... we were probably drinking coffee. It’s a pretty big part of our lives. The more we thought about it, the more we thought it would be an awesome opportunity.”
Both men call Philadelphia home, but State College seemed the perfect place to bring the Vibe Coffee Co. to life, for more than a few reasons. Steiger describes the coffee shop as one inspired by similar coffee shops like one would find in New York City or other large urban areas, with a significant “wow” factor.
“We thought State College could really use that,” he says. “There are several awesome coffee shops here, but we think State College is becoming more and more ‘big city’-like, downtown, so we thought it would be awesome to bring that type of vibe to the town.”
The two signed a lease for a space at 401 W. Beaver Ave., in the Graduate apartment building, and began renovating the space this spring. They anticipate serving the apartment building’s residents, but also business professionals working downtown.
“We’re going after the people that are really a part of the hustle and bustle of State College — really anyone who’s part of the downtown sector,” Steiger said.
Vibe Coffee Co. will offer late-night hours for studying students or those looking for some after-dark fuel, with pastries and ice cream, the former provided by local bakers and businesses. Vibe Coffee Co. is partnering with Crumbkowski, a vendor at the Pine Grove Mills Farmers Market, for seven different staple pastry items, as well as seasonal selections. On Friday and Saturday nights, the coffee shop will offer doughnut holes from fan-favorite Eden Doughnuts, with ice cream-doughnut pairings and even ice cream incorporated into one of the shop’s specialty drinks. Coffee will be sourced from Brioso Coffee in Columbus, Ohio, with the drink menu including traditional espresso-based drinks, drip coffee, cold brew, nitro brew and a few non-coffee items.
“We’re definitely super-excited to interact with people,” Steiger said of this week’s grand opening. “We’ve had friends and family helping, but it’s mostly been me and Tabeel locked in the shop, practicing making drinks, training, a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff. We’re excited to interact with hopefully hundreds of people every day and, as much as we can, get to know people, and remember faces and names.”
Vibe Coffee Co. opens its doors Thursday, with daytime hours of 7 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, and night hours of 9 p.m.-midnight on Friday and Saturday only. Mobile ordering will be available via the shop’s website, starting Sept. 20.
For more updates on Vibe Coffee Co., follow the brand on Instagram at www.instagram.com/vibecoffee/, or sign up for the brand’s e-letter at www.vibe-coffee.com.
This story was originally published September 12, 2021 at 5:00 AM.