By Kara O’Neil, Staff Writer, The Derrick
In a continuation of the building’s revitalization, 100 Seneca will be gaining another new business as Woods and River Coffee prepares to open a second location on the building’s first floor later this year.
The Venango County Economic Development Authority approved the lease for part of the space on the first floor of 100 Seneca to Woods and River during their Tuesday meeting.
Marcy Hall, who co-owns Woods and River with Erin Wanninger, said they are still figuring out how they will lay out the coffee shop in their new location. Hall said they would still continue to operate at their flagship coffee shop on West Front Street, but that the new location gave them added opportunities.
Hall said the thought is to have a focus on grab-and-go items and curb side pick up at 100 Seneca, due to the limited parking in the downtown and the close proximity of the Erie to Pittsburgh trail.
“We will probably have similar hours to what we have now, but we are waiting to see what the brewery does. We are working with them,” Hall explained.
The main tenant on the first floor will be The Exchange by Side Hustle, a restaurant with a distillery and brewery, which will be opening later this year.
At 100 Seneca, Hall said, they will be sharing the commercial kitchen with the brewery and it “will be nice to have more space.” They have also hired a baker, she said.
She added that the coffee shop staff are excited.
Woods and River “now employs 20 local people and exceeds its three-year projections by more than double. With the second location, the business can achieve its goal to increase capacity to prepare enough food for its current clientele, while expanding offerings and streamlining operations,” Wanninger, said via email, adding that the new shop will be open by Oil Heritage Festival in July.
Emily Lewis, the executive director of the Venango County Economic Development Authority, noted the authority is still seeking a third tenant to occupy the remaining space of about 500-square-feet on the first floor.
Read the original article from The Derrick here.