Bucks Co. Coffee to open second campus cafe

The University is negotiating with Bucks County Coffee House to develop another cafe at 40th and Locust streets, University Real Estate Director Chris Mason said. Although plans are not final, representatives from Bucks County Coffee House said they hope to move into the vacant location next to University City Nautilus by next September. "We hope it comes together," Roger Owen, the coffee shop's owner, said. According to the cafe's regional manager Susan Hesler, the new location is approximately three times the size of the current Bucks County Coffee House on campus, located on Sansom Street. Officials from the coffee shop are also planning to bring entertainment to the new location, which will have a built-in stage for performers. Currently, one or two musicians perform each Wednesday night at the Sansom Street location, Hesler said. But, she said, the new shop could feature entertainment up to five nights a week. She added that she was not concerned about the abundance of coffee houses in the University area and thinks the new location will serve students living in the high rises and off-campus. Currently, Chats, in the Class of 1920 Commons, sells a variety of coffees amongst its other products and Chimes Cafe -- located at 40th and Pine streets -- also sells coffee and pastries. And another cafe, Tuscany Premium Coffee, is expected to open in the site of the former Lodge clothing store at 34th and Walnut streets later this spring. "Our advantage is that we roast our own coffee," Hesler said. "Having other people around us educates them as to what gourmet coffee is." Recently, Roost Pizza and Stuff at 40th and Locust streets and Galaxy Entertainment at 39th and Walnut streets both closed. And Mason has said the University finds it difficult to bring new businesses into locations near 40th Street because the area is often perceived to be crime-ridden. But Hesler said she is not worried about security. "We've been in 30th Street Station for almost three years -- you can't get much worse than that," she said. The new location, Hesler said, would increase the number of students who know about and patronize the coffee house. "I think there are people at Penn who don't know we're here [on Sansom Street]," she added. "I'm really looking forward to this." Owen said he is awaiting the completion of negotiations in order to go ahead with plans for summer construction and renovation of the location.