After nearly three years based in Pleasant Gap, Bees Knees Coffee is taking flight for the University Park Airport.
Owner Bromlyn Fitzgerald said she and her staff will open Up Up and Away Cafe on April 10 in the space at the airport most recently operated by Urbn. The restaurant will feature a variety of breakfast, lunch and baked good items, as well as, of course, Bees Knees’ signature coffee products.
Bees Knees launched in 2020 with its mobile trailer, delivery service and a location at 114 E. College Ave. in Pleasant Gap, which offers a walk-up window and served as storage and prep space.
The last day for the takeout window in Pleasant Gap will be April 6. The location will continue to be used only for storage.
Fitzgerald opened Bees Knees not long after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but in the years since then, she said, a large majority of her customers have come to the walk-up window or the trailer and asked if they can sit inside — something she couldn’t offer with limited space.
“We were ready to take the next step,” Fitzgerald said. “I think that the only way that we can grow is to start inviting customers in to sit down like they used to before 2020. We can connect more with the customers. We can make more items. We’ll have less competition for baked goods across the street but we’ll probably source some baked goods from The Cakeshop by Tati [located at 113 E. College Ave.]. And we’ll be able to expand the breakfast and lunch menu without having to compete with our friends.”
Fitzgerald previously operated the Good Dose Cafe at the Geisinger Grays Woods complex and said the menu at Up Up and Away Cafe will be similar.
“We’re going to be doing breakfast, lunch and homemade baked goods, as well as some things that we’ll source from all our favorite bakers around town,” she said. “Breakfast sandwiches, paninis, we’ll probably do different soups here and there, especially in the colder months. I’m a huge fan of breakfast so I’m ready to make a really nice breakfast sandwich.”
Bees Knees’ mobile trailer will continue to operate this year as a full-time vendor at the Boalsburg and North Atherton Street farmers markets; 7-11 a.m. every Tuesday through Friday beginning April 4 at Hairlines by Leanne, 1318 W. College Ave., State College; and at select events through the spring and summer.
“As far as delivery goes, we plan to keep that the same until things get too crazy or too slow,” Fitzgerald said. “Delivery kind of dies down in the summer because people can come see us at the trailer.”
The cafe at the airport, meanwhile, will benefit more than just passengers and staff, Fitzgerald said. It provides a new option for people commuting in the area of Route 550 as well as anyone who wants to just stop in for a drink and a bite to eat. The area is also growing, with new housing communities in development nearby.
The airport offers free parking for up to 30 minutes and will validate parking for a certain amount of time beyond that with proof of purchase for cafe customers.
“So we’re hoping people will come in and enjoy the cafe not just because they have to fly but because we’re there,” Fitzgerald said.
Up Up and Away Cafe will be open daily at 5:30 a.m. for drinks and 6 a.m. for food. The espresso machine and kitchen will close at 5:30 p.m. and doors will close at 6 p.m.
