Warm Up With a Hot Beverage in Hermitage, PA

A little cold never stopped the residents of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, from heading out and about in December. This is the month for snow days with the family, brisk winter walks, and of course, getting all your Christmas shopping done. And, of course, it’s the perfect time for discovering some great holiday activities in the area.

When you head out to Hermitage this December and need a little warmth to take a break from the cold and wind, don’t forget these cozy spots around town. You can take your jacket off, grab a hot drink, and enjoy one of the many beautiful comforts of the holiday season in Pennsylvania.

Miss Scarlett’s Gourmet Coffee, Fudge & Specialty Items

Order one of the over 40 varieties of top-tier coffee and indulge your sweet tooth by picking your favorite flavor of fudge while you’re there. The store was founded in 1990 and has gained a reputation for offering locally made goods and specialty items to customers in order to support the local Volant area people who make them. Miss Scarlett’s prides itself on upholding Amish customs through the strict quality and freshness standards it applies to the products it sells.

If fudge isn’t your thing, you’ll still find something to love in the large variety of freshly baked goods this shop sells. Before you leave, be sure to check out the gourmet products and specialty items on sale (including baby and kid-friendly products) from lesser-known boutique companies like Wind & Willow and Lil’ Llama.

Haitian Sensation Coffee

Plenty of people living through a Pennsylvania winter will occasionally find themselves daydreaming about sunny beaches, warm weather, and the carefree days of summer. Some people plan a trip to an island with tropical weather, while others try to find a taste of the tropics closer to home. For the latter group, there’s Haitian Sensation Coffee to provide you with a Caribbean experience in Sharon, Pennsylvania.

Founded by Haitian immigrant Joseph Altenor, this coffee shop and Caribbean restaurant is focused on providing warm hospitality and delicious products to customers and helping people back in Haiti. A percentage of all profits from Haitian Sensation Coffee go back to organizations in Haiti assisting locals.

Be sure to try the Cafe Bon Gou, a medium roast coffee that comes with a homemade rum cake creamer and a shot of butterscotch thrown in the mix for that extra warm holiday feeling. The motto of this coffee shop is “Helping heal Haiti one cup at a time.” So when you stop in at Haitian Sensation Coffee, you’ll not only get deliciously flavored Haitian Mountain Bleu coffee but also feel the warmth of helping others in need.

O’Neill Coffee

This local Wilmington coffee shop prides itself on its employees’ professionalism, friendliness, and customer service. A local favorite, O’Neill Coffee offers a wide variety of roasts, which include house classics and gourmet flavors.

Try one of the many artisan roasts originating from locations all over the world, including Costa Rica, Brazil, Rwanda, and Colombia, among many others. If you really like the cup of coffee you get here, you can get a bag of coffee beans to take home with you, so you can enjoy these international varieties at any time.

Customers who want a little extra oomph in their coffee with unexpected flavors will especially love O’Neill Coffee. The varieties that this rustic coffee shop offers include Bourbon Pecan, Amaretto, Blueberry Muffin, Chocolate Raspberry, and Bananas Foster. In fact, there are over 80 varieties here you can choose from, so no matter what your preferences, your taste buds will most certainly find a flavor to enjoy.

Papa Gelateria

What if you’re looking for a warm coffee but also a cold treat? Well, then Papa Gelateria is the right place for you. This Italian gelateria has made it its mission to sell and promote fair trade and organic coffee in its stores, so you can enjoy a cup knowing it has been ethically made and sourced.

The coffee is sold from an authentic Italian coffee bar, which also serves a variety of teas for those who would like an alternative (and possibly healthier) caffeine boost. Sip on one of the many offerings while enjoying the beautiful, traditional ambiance of the store, which is located near Borough Park in New Wilmington.

While you’re here, try one of the many Italian gelatos the store sells, made in the traditional Italian way, with 50% less air in the slow churning process than ice cream or other frozen treats. If you want a warmer dessert instead, Papa Gelateria also sells baklava and a range of other homemade desserts that’ll perfectly complement your coffee.

The store is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, so you can always stop by the shop even if you get a coffee craving late in the afternoon or early in the evening.

We always enjoy the snowy days, family get-togethers, and cheerful atmosphere of a Pennsylvania winter, and even more so when we can take a break in a cozy coffee shop with a warm cup of joe to keep us comfortable. Did we miss any of your favorite coffee spots around the Hermitage area? If so, contact us at #1 Cochran Buick-GMC Youngstown to let us know, as we’d love to feature your suggestion in one of our future articles.

Coffees by Maria Keays is licensed with CC BY 2.0