It’s a bit of a break in the path for the usually mobile Urban Trail Coffee Co., which debuted a new outdoor cafe June 1 at its new headquarters in McCandless.
Open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, the outdoor cafe at 8200 Perry Highway is in addition to its coffee trailer that travels to locations throughout the Pittsburgh area, according to Tana Mitchell, who owns it with her husband, Justin.
“(The) launch is going great. Wonderful turnout so far,” she said on opening day.
The business, named for the couple’s love of hiking, recently moved its headquarters from Ohio Township to the new site, which also functions as the operational space for the mobile business.
“We made the move to Perry Highway because we found a space that better supports the growth of our business and gives us the opportunity to create more of a long-term home base for Urban Trail Coffee Co. We also loved the visibility and accessibility of the new location within the North Hills community,” Mitchell said.
Both husband and wife are from Uniontown, where they met in high school, and moved to Pittsburgh in 1999. They live in Franklin Park.
The couple started Urban Trail Coffee Co. because they loved the idea of creating community through coffee and bringing a unique experience directly to people, she said.
“We really wanted to create spaces where people felt welcomed, known and comfortable, whether that’s at a wedding, a corporate event or just grabbing a coffee on a Tuesday morning,” she said.
Before opening the business, they both came from different professional backgrounds. But entrepreneurship and hospitality were always a big draw for the couple, said Mitchell, who had worked in marketing and advertising for 13 years before opening the business.
“What started as an idea quickly grew into something much bigger than we imagined,” she said.
This includes keeping it in the family.
Their daughter, Ella, 19, who started helping out with the truck when she was 15, is now a student at Penn State University and will step behind the coffee counter in the summers and during holiday breaks.
Their son, Jake, 16, a rising junior at North Allegheny High School, also occasionally assists with the brewing business.
They join the crew of friendly and efficient staff members and baristas.
“We really love being able to share this business with our kids and include them in so many aspects of the day-to-day operations and growth of Urban Trail Coffee Co.,” Mitchell said.
Most notably, is what they serve. Locally-based Commonplace Coffee, where Justin also works, is the featured coffee for Urban Trail.
What was once just a beverage-based hobby for the couple has turned into a craft.
They have spent years learning about coffee, developing recipes, training their team and creating an experience that feels “warm, approachable and community-focused,” she said.
Urban Trail Coffee Co. specializes in handcrafted espresso drinks, lattes, cold brew, matcha, chai, refreshers, teas and seasonal specialty beverages.
They also offer catering services for weddings, corporate events, schools, universities, private parties and community events.
“We wanted to build a brand that felt warm, adventurous, welcoming and connected to the people and places around us — while also making high-quality coffee more accessible and convenient for busy people and events. Our goal has always been to create a place people genuinely enjoy being,” Mitchell said.
The owners are working on a food option for the outdoor cafe, she said.
Fans can catch the next location of the mobile trailer on Urban Trail’s social media pages, website and event calendar. The weekly schedule is posted on Instagram every Sunday or Monday. The website features a full calendar so followers can look ahead to see where it might be rolling up.
The outdoor cafe will be a consistent option during the weekdays, with hopes to increase hours as summer progresses, Mitchell said.
The term “Urban Trail” came from blending city life with the feeling of slowing down, exploring and finding comfort along the way — all while serving a true coffee shop experience on wheels, she said.
“Our favorite part is the community aspect. We love that the truck allows us to meet people where they are and create moments of connection through something that we love — coffee. Every event and pop-up feels personal and different, and we are so grateful to do what we do and serve the people of Pittsburgh,” Mitchell said.
For details, visit urbantrail.coffee.