Published July 03, 2008 09:47 am - Union Township residents may wake up and smell the coffee soon, but it might not be Starbucks. A new plaza will be under construction in the fall along Route 224, and a Steamers coffee shop is likely to become one of its tenants.
New plaza planned for college site
By DEBBIE WACHTER MORRIS
New Castle News
Union Township residents may wake up and smell the coffee soon, but it might not be Starbucks.
A new plaza will be under construction in the fall along Route 224, and a Steamers coffee shop is likely to become one of its tenants.
The plaza is the project of developer and contractor Leo Golba. It will be on the same property as the new Butler County Community College, which Golba owns and leases to the school.
The plaza will include a food court at one end and retail shops on the other, Golba said.
He has been negotiating with Steamers owners Joelynne and Steve Koury to open a coffee shop in the food court side, he said. It also will include two or three other food choices, such as pizza and fast food.
The retail side is likely to have a tanning salon, cell phone store and outpatient medical facility, he said.
“We have a lot of people interested, but we aren’t locked into any leases yet.”
Golba plans to start construction in late summer or early fall, and anticipates the facility will be built and open for businesses within five months, weather permitting.
The plaza will offer services that will cater to college students and employees.
“We don’t want anyone on campus to have to go too far for any of their needs,” Golba said.
One of those needs is likely to be coffee, and Steve Koury said he is looking forward to the venture.
“We’ve been talking with Leo since fall and we’re very excited to pursue this opportunity with him and the college and Union Township,” Koury said. He noted that location will feature a drive-through window.
The Kourys also opened coffee shops in Cranberry Township in September and in the Ross Park Mall in February. They are planning another store in Adams Township, north of Cranberry, and considering expanding their business in Pittsburgh, he said.
The couple’s first venture was a Steamers coffee house in Neshannock Township, located in the same plaza as the area age on aging.
Steamers, which features comfortable furniture, is designed as a place where people can go in, purchase a drink, relax and read or listen to music. Coffee, tea and a few coffee-themed gifts also are available.