Urban Trail Coffee Co. will be setting up shop this fall in Grove City College’s newly renovated Henry Buhl Library.
The Pittsburgh-based company will help keep the community caffeinated from its Urban Trail Coffee Co. Outpost in the library’s Collier Café area, a new space created as part of the $9 million makeover. The café, a gift of Janet (Owen ’63) Collier, opens onto a new patio, where undergrads can sip lattes, cold brews, and other beverages crafted by Urban Trail baristas.
“The café is one of the highlights of the renovation, which is intended to improve the library’s ability to serve students and be a destination as well as a resource, a place that draws the campus community together,” Grove City College Vice President for Operations Susan Grimm said. “Urban Trail Coffee Co., with its commitment to quality products and great service, is a great partner in the College’s efforts to improve the student experience and a great asset for the campus.”
Urban Trail founders Tana and Justin Mitchell said they are excited about the library location.
“We’re looking forward to serving students, faculty, staff, and the greater Grove City community at the library café,” Justin Mitchell said. “Urban Trail Coffee Co. aspires to bring a new coffee experience to the Grove City Community by providing a welcoming and convenient place for guests to slow down, take a break from the demands of life, savor a special moment, and re-fuel their day.”
The Mitchells founded Urban Trail Coffee Co. in 2020 during the pandemic. They saw success as customers wary of indoor dining turned to alternatives like their coffee trailers, which make stops around the region. The company offers signature blends roasted by Commonplace Coffee, Pittsburgh, and operates an online store at urbantrail.coffee.
The Outpost in Buhl Library will be the company’s first brick and mortar outlet. Previous coffee trailer visits to the College for homecoming and other occasions prompted the Mitchells to settle on campus. “It is a big move for Urban Trail Coffee and we’re so excited to be making it in partnership with Grove City College. The ‘new’ library is a beautiful place and we’re committed to providing our guests with excellent products and services in this incredible building on this wonderful campus,” Tana Mitchell said.
The library café will offer a full menu of coffee, espresso, cold brews – including Urban Trail’s signature Urban Vanilla Cold Brew – as well as snacks, pastries, juices and more.
The Mitchells expect to hire a manager and employ some student baristas in the café. They are actively recruiting for student hires. “It’s important for us to be a part of the campus community, striving daily to enrich the lives and experiences of its students," Tana said.
Urban Trail Coffee Co. expects to hold its grand opening at Buhl Library on Sept. 8.