Caffeena to open Yemeni cafe, grocer Downtown
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Caffeena plans to set up shop inside Downtown's LiveWell building. Photo: Courtesy of Caffeena Coffee House
Caffeena Coffee House is doubling down on Pittsburgh with plans for a Downtown flagship that owners say will rank among the city's largest coffee shops.
The big picture: The Yemeni-American coffee chain that announced its first Pittsburgh café in Oakland earlier this year is expanding with a 4,500-square-foot footprint inside the LiveWell Apartments building — the former GNC headquarters at Sixth Avenue and Wood Street.
- It will be the fast-growing Michigan company's largest concept to date, Caffeena representatives said in a news release. The company markets a luxury specialty coffee brand.
Zoom in: The shop promises Turkish and Yemeni coffees and other handcrafted beverages, an artisan bakery and deli, specialty grocery items, private meeting rooms, a prayer and meditation room, and a children's play area.
The vibe: Renderings shared with Axios Pittsburgh show an upscale marble interior, brass accents, emerald upholstery, high ceilings and warm, ambient lighting.
- Yemeni coffee delivers a rich, earthy flavor profile with notes of dark chocolate, dried fruit, and cinnamon.
Between the lines: Simon Saleh, managing director of Caffeena, said the café is designed to reflect Yemeni coffee traditions while serving as a gathering place where people can meet, work, eat or relax.
- He said the neighborhood's walkability and proximity to other Downtown and North Shore attractions made it a natural fit.
Context: Yemeni coffeehouses are booming nationwide, fueled by late-night hours, a higher demand for alcohol-free social spaces and the nation's growing Yemeni American population, the Associated Press reports.
What's next: Caffeena is in the construction planning phase and expects to hire roughly 18 people when it opens sometime next year.