Denis Westendorf, Owner

It is hard to keep up with the Route 356 corridor between Freeport and Buffalo Township because it is growing so fast with new homes and commercial establishments. Much to my surprise, I discovered a great new Coffee Shop that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in addition to a terrific selection of coffee and drinks. The Hive Coffee Shop is located at 125 Malone Drive in South Pike Square where a number of new establishments are opening.

The Hive Coffee Shop is becoming busy as a bee (I had to say that!) as more people are discovering it is the place to stop. Denise Westendorf, owner and a native of Freeport, told me that every day new customers are coming who become regulars. Outside of excellent coffee, baked goods and food, visiting the Hive Coffee Shop is becoming an experience itself. Where else can you go, sit in a couch, read all the old Freeport School yearbooks, look at local and school memorabilia and get on the Internet to check your mail or do a quick assignment?

Opening at 5:30 a.m. every morning (except Saturday and Sunday which are at 8 a.m.), they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is plenty of room with 44 seats at eleven tables. You can either enjoy breakfast sandwiches on a croissant or bagel or have pancakes, eggs, French Toast with sausage, bacon and hash browns. For Lunch and Dinner there are a number of sandwiches, gyros, quiche and a soup of the day. Denise said one four-year old boy comes regularly with his dad and downs two bowls of soup! It’s probably that great home cooking that serves soups such as chicken noodle, tomato bisque, wedding, broccoli cheese, and stuffed peppers. Guess what? The four-year old loves Stuffed Pepper Soup!

Did I forget to mention the baked goods? There is a wide variety of bagels, cinnamon rolls, Danish, muffins, donuts, Scone, cookies, Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie, New York style cheesecake (there is also strawberry and Carmel Apple cheesecake). Oh, also carrot cake. Hmmm, there seems to be something for everyone.

Well, of course, there is coffee also. Outside of regular coffee, there are approximately ten other choices for you to select from plus the house blend. There is an interesting story behind the house blend, which is unique and cannot be bought or found anywhere else. It’s a big hit. But, there are more hot drinks, like Chai Tea, Horchata, MOO, Hot Chocolate and plain hot tea. Add to that Iced Coffees, Iced alternative drinks, Smoothies and Frozen Blended Coffees, you probably will find something to suit your taste. Soymilk is also available as children’s drinks.

The Hive Coffee Shop Store Front

Denise also does a brisk take out and order business for meetings and company events.

Denise didn’t start out to own a business. Although she worked with her Mom-in-Law in a card shop she owned and stayed on with a new owner for a while she was content at home. Drew, her husband who works as an Air Traffic Controller in Pittsburgh, though, had other thoughts as he visited the former Moonflight Coffee Shop. He brought his wife to sample the great coffee and suggested it might be a good idea for a business in their area. She didn’t warm up to that too quickly, but in time had a change of heart. The rest is history and the business was launched with most of the family involved in it.

Moonflight Coffee eventually closed, but their house blend has been passed on to The Hive. Denise said Moonflight’s owner, Linda Botel, had worked a long time mixing coffee beans before getting the right blend (it’s a secret!). It was a smashing success and is also at The Hive.

The Hive Coffee Shop has wireless connection and three computers for those needing to check their e-mail or do an assignment. Plenty of reading material is available with the couches. You can call or fax orders in, hold meetings at the Coffee Shop or have an order for your meeting. The Boosters, Christian Women, and nurses group already are meeting at The Hive Coffee Shop.

The Hive Coffee Shop is at 125 Malone Drive in the South Pike Square and is open at 5:30 a.m., Monday through Friday closing at 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 p.m. on Friday. Saturday is 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call them at 724-294-0040.