The newly open Morgantown Coffee House, Route 23 and Twin Valley Road, invited PA State Representatives Mark Gillen and Gordon Denlinger to celebrate its official opening with a ribbon cutting on Nov. 24 at 2 p.m.
The shop, formerly known as Aroma under different management, was renovated and reopened on Nov. 15 by Ed Donegan and his wife Ellen, who has worked in the coffee business for 15 years with North Atlantic Specialty Bags.
PA State Representatives Mark Gillen and Gordon Denlinger came out on Nov. 24 to take part in the official opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony and shop tour.
“This picture needs to get out,” said Rep. Gillen. “It’s so inviting. When I came in, the atmosphere and the ambiance were far in excess of what I expected.”
Donegan walked the representatives around the building, showing them the new decorations and renovations and explaining future plans for the coffee shop.
“We want to be part of the community, not just a business,” said Donegan. “We are allowing people to use the back room, for free, if they want to hold any kind of events like business meetings or parties. All we ask is that they clean up a little.”
Donegan’s first effort to open his space to the community was a Disney movie screening for parents and children recently on a Saturday night.
Another way Donegan plans to give back is through the adoption of the policy that all police officers in uniform get free coffee.
The coffee house has renovated front and back rooms with seating and a full menu of drinks and food items, as well as free Wi-Fi. All coffee served comes directly from local roasters at Twin Valley Coffee, and the decoration was done mostly by Donegan’s daughter, Laura Horst, so a lot of personal touches were added.
“The atmosphere is great, the parking is accessible,” said Rep. Gillen. “They need to get the word out, especially because it’s located at an intersection that is about survival. The signage is a great idea.”
Rep. Denlinger is familiar with the Morgantown Coffee House building and remembered it as an old hotel from his childhood. He was happy to attend the ribbon cutting with his senior aide, Jeremy Kiehl.
“I’m glad to be here,” he said to Donegan. “Everything looks really nice.”
Morgantown Coffee House is a family-run business. Donegan’s employees include his daughter, Laura, and his son and daughter-in-law Joe and Liz Donegan. Sophia Miller, a friend of Donegan’s youngest daughter, also helped to get the shop up and running and is employed there.
“Sophia is a barista extraordinaire,” said Donegan.
Miller previously worked at New Holland Coffee Company.
“When we were getting ready to open, they gave me the money, and I went out and got all the equipment,” said Miller. “I picked out everything here except for the espresso machine.”
Miller also owns a photography business in the area, Sophia Miller Photography.
Now that the shop is officially open to the public, Donegan hopes the community will feel welcome, especially Twin Valley students.
“It’s right down the street, we have coffee and we have Wi-Fi,” he said. “I want the students to know we’re here and it’s a safe place to hang out.”
To help the school further, Donegan has invited local tree farmers to come and sell Christmas trees from the establishment parking lot beginning on Black Friday.
“From the money they raise, $5 from each tree will be donated to the lacrosse team,” said Donegan. “Another $2 a tree will be given to the landlord, who will in turn donate it to the wrestling club.”
Donegan also has a small stage for performers and hopes to host shows regularly.
Local musician Christopher Burkholder will be playing on Nov. 29 from 6-8 p.m.
For more information about Morgantown Coffee House, contact Ed Donegan at 717-419-7707.
