Coffee: Most of us have tasted the wonders this beloved beverage.
But did you know that the history of coffee dates back to the thirteenth century? The legend of coffee begins in the Ethiopian highlands, where a man named, Kaldi, discovered coffee after noticing how his goats became energized after eating berries from a certain tree and could not sleep at night.
The discovery of coffee with the strange help of goats led me to where I sit now in Espresso a Mano. In the heart of historic Lawrenceville, an eclectic neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Espresso a Mano’s owner, Matt Gebis, stays true to the heart of coffee while also providing a place for locals to congregate. “A mano” means by hand in Italian, a language Matt studied while a student at the University of Pittsburgh. He did not know it at the time while attending college, but a coffee shop would be in his future.
While working at La Prima Espresso in Pittsburgh’s trendy Strip District, Matt discovered he enjoyed not only drinking coffee, but also the coffee shop environment, itself.
“At the end of college I started working at La Prima, and soon it turned into a full time job,” Matt explained while sipping coffee during the interview. “I ran the coffee shop, the roastery, became a salesman, packaged coffee and serviced the espresso machines. It just kind of increased my curiosity in coffee and I wanted to learn more and more.”
The next step in Matt’s future meant opening a place of his own. With no specific place in mind, Matt set out looking for the perfect space that would create a sense of community for his future costumers.
“I knew I wanted to have my own shop before I knew where I wanted to be.”
After scouting the city, Matt came across the space in Lawrenceville and immediately knew it would be perfect.
“I like Lawrenceville. It is a community. Most of the people who have become my customer base live in the neighborhood. Some are college students, artists, and people who have lived here for fifty years.”
Not only did the location feel right, the building itself was set up perfectly for a coffee shop.
“Most of the stuff in the building was already done. It was kind of like fate,” Matt said pointing the entrance of the coffee shop, which is a glass garage door to an open layout that has an old rustic feel with high wooden ceilings, wooden floors, and brick walls.
On the brick walls hangs local art. Promoting Pittsburgh through his coffee shop is something that Matt has strived for. With a bulletin board covered in fliers for local events and posters hanging on the windows, Pittsburgh is as central to his shop as the coffee he serves.
Matt also makes sure to use local bakeries such as Colangelo’s Bakery, Enrico Biscotti Co., and Allegro Hearth. And those tasty sandwiches? Locally owned, E2 (pronounced E Squared), makes them fresh daily. Some of the coffee is roasted close to home, as well, out of Indiana, PA at Common Place Coffee.
The goal of opening Espresso a Mano was not just to provide a place that people could meet and hang out in, but also to continue meeting the demand for people wanting good quality coffee. When asked if he saw a need for coffee shops in Pittsburgh, Matt believes that, in general, people all over the country want good coffee. The coffee itself is not the only component for it to be tasty. The nice cup that I sip my mocha out of every morning is made in Italy. Matt explains that having quality mugs is important because a poorly made mug can affect the taste of the coffee. With an attention to detail such as mugs, Matt wants to make sure his customers get the most out of each sip of coffee.
Whether one is looking for a great cup of coffee or just a place to relax and socialize, Espresso a Mano provides an atmosphere of friendliness and openness perfect for the people of Pittsburgh. Come as you are, and come have some coffee!
Hours:
Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Sunday 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
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Customers can also support a good cause through Espresso a Mano by the purchase of a $5 brick to help build schools in Haiti, through the organization, Friends for Haiti.
Follow Espresso a Mano on twitter to stay updated on Pittsburgh and coffee shop news: @espressoamano
twoday magazine wants to know: What’s your favorite coffee shop in Pittsburgh or around the country?
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