HARRISBURG, Pa. — Ever since a massive fire ripped through one of the Broad Street Market buildings back in July, numerous community members have shown their support.
Some organizations started fundraisers, and others kept business going by continuing to shop at local vendors who set up outside of the debris-filled building. One partnership is standing out, and that’s Little AMPS Coffee Roasters and Elementary Coffee Co. with its new blend “Phoenix,” where all proceeds go to the Broad Street Market.
The idea of the Phoenix blend came about a day after the fire. Andrea Grove, owner of Elementary Coffee Co., and Peter Leonard, owner of Little AMPS Coffee Roasters, said they both understand what small businesses had lost because they own and operate their own—and it’s not easy.
“The idea of coming together and creating something for the community to bring joy, hope and unity again, in a way where the market has already upheld that mission, is the foundation of this collaboration,” said Grove.
“We figured it would get Harrisburg pretty excited with two local coffee brands working together by showing unity and support of each other and of the city,” said Leonard.
Grove got her start in the Broad Street Market nine years ago with her very first Elementary Coffee booth. Due to the success of the booth, she was able to open her own shop on North Street. Grove said if it wasn’t for the Broad Street Market, she wouldn’t be where she is today.
“I think the market for me was a coming of age story for me,” said Grove. “The Broad Street Market, to me, has always felt like our home, and I think a lot of people can relate to that, like it’s a lot of people's homes, vendors and community members.”
The new blend is called “Phoenix,” which is an ode to the saying “a phoenix rising from the ashes,” referring to the Broad Street Market. The idea of naming the coffee came from Andy Hollinger, who is also the head roaster at Little AMPS. A local Harrisburg artist, Bryan “King Prolifik,” was also in on the idea of designing the bag.
“We’re just really excited to rally behind this image,” said Grove.
Both coffee shops share an importer partner called Mountain Harvest, and their representative, Nico Herr, offered fresh crop samples from Uganda. After taste testing a dozen samples, the blend came to be.
“We obviously wanted to be Little AMPS and Elementary, but we also wanted it to be more than us and create this new third brand," said Leonard.
The new coffee blend is roasted to order and is currently limited. Both owners encourage people to buy it when they see it because there is a limited supply. It will be continuously restocked.
To grab your bag, click here. All proceeds go toward the Broad Street Market.