MACUNGIE, Pa. — It's grateful, humbling, unbelievable ... and maybe a little bit selfish.
But above all, the new business relationship between Roasties co-owners Melinda Schneck and Josh Elmer and landlords Brian and Joanna Hersh is exciting for all parties involved, they say.
Last week, Schneck and Elmer announced on social media that Roasties Mobile Cafe has found a permanent home next to Macungie Memorial Park.
In February, MadDog's Hot Dogs and Sugar Shack, which previously operated at 17 N. Poplar St., announced on Facebook that it would close in April.
The Hershes, who also own the wedding venue Fox Rose Farm, said they first looked at the property that month. Unbeknownst to them, Schneck and Elmer also had eyes on the potential storefront.
"When we first reached out about the property and found out it was under contract already, we kind of wrote it off ..." Schneck said. "So we kind of were like, 'All right, it's just, you know, it's just not our time.'"
The two couples hadn't officially met yet.
Though, the Hershes said they saw Roasties take social media by storm once the bright yellow mobile cafe set up shop at Bear Swap Beverages in Macungie.
Right place, right time
When they first looked at 17 N. Poplar St., the two said they knew they wanted a coffee shop there.
"I think we were out, like, buying some stuff that one Saturday morning, and we were driving down through Macungie," Brian Hersh said. "And I just said, like, 'Should we just ask them in case they might be interested? Like, who knows?' Because we had somebody else that was potentially interested. So we weren't really thinking too, too much.
"And we're like, 'Yeah, why not? And they weren't there that day. It was one of their baristas, and she gave us their contact.
"And [Joanna] had told me, 'I talked to Melinda, and you're never gonna believe this, but they actually loved that."
For Schneck and Elmer, it's a dream come true. And for the Hershes, "selfishly, when we go to shows [at Macungie Memorial Park], we're like, 'We wish there was a coffee place here.'"
"The community support has been unbelievable."Joanna Schneck, co-owners of Roasties Mobile Cafe
Schneck said when she and Elmer first moved to Macungie over three years ago, the two always hoped someone would open a cafe.
"We would say all the time, 'I just can't believe there's not a coffee shop here," Schneck said. "And so we thought somebody surely would eventually do it."
Surely, they eventually filled those shoes.
Gaining momentum
Schneck said her corporate job began to feel unfulfilling — increasingly stressful and demanding more time away from her family.
The pair tested the concept at their children's flag football league last fall and "just kind of trialed it out there." Add in the profitability of coffee, proven success, flexibility of being a business owner and their own desire for a coffee shop and the two began building out the Roasties Mobile Cafe trailer this past winter.
"We're so excited," Schneck said. "It was just over five months of being open before we signed our lease here."
Above all, the community's support is the most exciting.
"The community support has been unbelievable," Schneck said.
Her smile was audible.
"We live here in Macungie. We love it here," she said. "We always think that it's sucha great spot for little businesses, and we're always surprised there's not a better downtown space than there is right now.
"But we really believe that there definitely can be — it's such a great walkable space. So we're kind of hoping to kick this off and maybe inspire other small businesses to give Macungie a chance, because it really is a great spot.
"And the community wants mom-and-pop businesses... People want to be able to support something small.
"So for us, it feels awesome. We're surprised that the community was so hyped about it and just super grateful for it."
Focus on local
Just as Schneck and Elmer are happy to fulfill their Macungie coffee shop desires, the Hershes are too, especially with a five-star coffee shop owned by another husband-and-wife duo.
Scouting another locally-owned business was important to the couple, Brian Hersh said. They typically utilize other small businesses at their wedding venue in Blandon, Berks County.
"It's always nice to be able to network with people who are in similar shoes," Joanna Hersh said.
So, the pair hopes that both a business relationship and entrepreneurial friendship continue to grow outside of Roasties new doors.
"I said to my dad, like, so many times, it's just amazing how lucky that was [to connect with Schneck and Elmer]," Brian Hersh said.
There are few details on the cafe's upcoming brick-and-mortar.
"From the bottom of our coffee-loving hearts… thank you for believing in us, cheering us on, and making this dream possible."Roasties Mobile Cafe Facebook post
Schneck said she and Elmer are excited to reveal more information as the opening date in November draws near, including "a secret preview pop-up event," teased on the Roasties Facebook page.
"When we first rolled up in our little teardrop trailer, we never imagined how much love, support, and caffeine-fueled joy this community would pour into Roasties," the coffee shop's Facebook post reads.
"... From the bottom of our coffee-loving hearts… thank you for believing in us, cheering us on, and making this dream possible. We can’t wait to welcome you into our new home this fall."
In the meantime, when the teardrop-shaped cafe isn't on the go at weddings and events, it can be found at Bear Swamp Beverage serving 12-ounce hot drinks and 16-ounce iced drinks from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
