The owners of Lit sat down to tell us all about their unique labor of love, but finding the time to do so was unusually tricky, as there is no additional staff on hand at the bakeshop. Owners Matt, Melanie and Dan do it all on their own, which is just one of the many things that make this coffee shop unlike any other coffee shop.
Tell us about the overall “vibe” at Lit. What does a customer experience upon walking through the door?
We aim to straddle the line between family-friendly and edgy, charming and wild. We play the music we like, hang the artwork that we enjoy and serve the products that we love. It’s all about comfort here.
What’s the best part about being located in Bethlehem?
Bethlehem is a crossroads for artists, particularly the south side of Bethlehem. There’s no shortage of expression and thought here, which are two very important elements when introducing a community to a conceptually different style of cafe.
Tell us about some of your best sellers.
Melanie’s signature French macarons have had a cult-like following long before we ever opened our doors. Her empanadas—her take on the Pop-Tart—have found a brand-new following, and have been a fan favorite among our regulars. Sometimes sweet, sometimes savory, but always flaky and special.
What’s so special about welcoming local musicians into the space?
Anything truly local is special, because it contains an added source of pride for everyone who lives in this area. Whether a young artist or a start-up vegan baker, we’re always happy to introduce our fans to what’s new in the Lehigh Valley.
Tell us about a unique item readers may not know you carry.
We are proud to carry Stark Juice products—raw, cold-pressed juices. They’re both nutritious and delicious, and local to our area! The Lemon Drop juice is seriously yummy.
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Photo by Andrew Tomasino
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What are some new products that the shop is excited about?
So many things, between the coffees that we source, goodies that we bake and local vendors that we carry, there’s almost always something new and interesting. We just began carrying a collection of zines by local artist Lauren Beauchner, and introduced our newest espresso blend, the Iron Man blend.
Is there anywhere else in the Valley that customers can find the products that you make?
Monocacy Coffee Co., one-half owner of Lit, provides its in-house roasted coffees to a handful of locally owned businesses, including Jumbars, Greenmouth Juice Bar, Coffee House Without Limits, Cafe the Lodge and several others. We’re proud to have such a great working relationship with these Lehigh Valley institutions, and we’re lucky to have our coffees served at such amazing places.
What defines a truly good cup of coffee?
We prefer lighter roasts, but a good cup of coffee is made with any coffee bean that was roasted in a way that accentuates the inherent and intended flavors of a coffee, based upon its cultivation by hard-working laborers—planters, pickers, processors, etc.—and provides some transparency as to who produced the coffee. It’s only by shedding light on the hard work done by the many hands that touched this coffee before us that will allow for a better appreciation for these coffees, and, more importantly, a means for improving the livelihoods of the people who work hard to provide such an excellent product.
26 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem | 484.626.0945 | facebook.com
