As if you needed another reason to visit and fall in love with Lancaster.
Passenger Coffee in Lancaster was recently named Food & Wine’s pick for the best coffee in Pennsylvania.
Passenger’s headquarters opened in 2014 when David Stallings, Passenger’s current Coffee Director, combined his 13+ years of experience in the industry with the business savvy of Passenger’s owners Crystal Weaver and Kyle Sollenberger.
“The history of Passenger is very similar to how the Specialty Coffee Industry works: people with mutual respect for each other and the world around them, work together to create a beautiful product that benefits the lives of both parties and all those around them,” Store Manager Tyler Goodling said.
Located in the heart of Downtown Lancaster, Passenger Coffee’s retail space is a quaint storefront offering a world-class classic selection of coffee, espresso, and tea.
Passenger is cool and modern but is still inviting and cozy.
“At Passenger retail, everything is meant to be elegant, complex, and approachable at the same time. We are a showroom first and foremost, not just another cafe where our goal is to get as many people in and out,” said Goodling. “Our first priority is to ensure all those who cross our doorsteps are welcomed into an experience that can change their mindset on coffee and tea.”
Passenger takes pride in sourcing all of their own coffees and teas and showcasing them in the best ways they possibly can.
Their coffee menu is one of the largest in the world, currently 35 strong, and the company has plans to release many more in the near future.
Coffee is not only a passion of Passengers, it’s a science. They are one of the few roasters in the country that ensures their coffees are kept fresh year-round by vacuum sealing and freezing the green, unroasted coffee as soon as it arrives in their warehouse. This halts the aging process and the coffee will taste just as fresh whether you drink it three months or a year and a half later.
Passenger pours as much passion into their tea as they do their coffee, and Goodling notes a few customers even refer to Passenger as their “tea shop”.
I’m extremely lucky to work right across the street from Passenger, and I visit a few times a week for either an Americano or iced tea.
I’m in no way a coffee connoisseur, but Passenger’s coffee is always rich, dynamic and elevated. There are no fancy frills to distract you, it’s pure and simplistic. Their cold brew is a perfect pick-me-up for the summer, and their teas are smooth and soothing when you need to warm up (because spring seems to be hiding in Central PA this year.)
Those who like GOOD coffee will love Passenger.
The drinks aren’t the only thing that sets Passenger apart from the rest; the shop’s staff is another testament to Passenger’s approach to coffee.
“Excellent customer service, perfection in preparation, and ensuring that we remain humble and approachable at all times helps us remove all the unnecessary distractions and truly offer people something beautiful,” said Goodling.
You’ll agree the minute you walk into Passenger. The staff is actually one of my favorite things about the cafe. They are engaging and easy to chat with while you wait for your order, and you just feel cooler and – don’t roll your eyes – “chill”, around them.
Plus, they know that I’m most likely going to order a granola bar (Passenger also offers pastries and baked goods baked fresh daily) every time I visit and it’s basically bagged and ready by the time I walk through the door.
My visits always leave me smiling and in a feel-good mood. Good drinks and great people … that’s just my cup of tea (or coffee).
Passenger Coffee is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
