State College Honors Former Saint’s Cafe Owner with Ceremonial Alley Name

State College is honoring the late owner of the former Saint’s Cafe by naming the alley next to his beloved business’ longtime home in his honor.

Borough council voted unanimously on Monday to establish “Craig’s Way” as the ceremonial name for Kelly Alley in honor of Craig Avedesian, a community-minded businessman who died in October at the age of 68.

“His smile and laugh were both infectious, however, it was his kindness and willingness to always lend a hand that make him so special to our community,” the resolution adopted by council stated.

Avedesian and his wife, Mary Kay, operated Saint’s Cafe at 123 W. Beaver Ave. for 22 years beginning in 1999. Even before that, though, Avedesian valued the space as a place that brought people together and strengthened the community.

A frequent patron of Saint’s Cafe’s predecessor, Cafe Gourmet, Avedesian quietly paid the bills to keep it afloat when the business began to fail, according to the resolution. After Cafe Gourmet closed, he opened Saint’s Cafe to continue offering a place for good coffee and conversation.

“It wasn’t just great coffee that he wanted to keep on this corner, but the people,” according to the resolution. “He wanted to create a space where everyone could gather, share ideas and good conversation, build relationships and, ultimately, continue to grow their community.”

The Avedesians decided close the business at the end of 2021, but ensured its place in the community would continue by seeking out the owners of its successor Elixr Coffee, which opened in the space in January 2022.

“This is who Craig was to the community: an individual who put Downtown State College first, who helped carve out the specialty coffee community of State College,” the resolution stated.

The longtime president and co-owner of Federal Carbide Company, Avedesian moved to State College in 1989 when he and his brother relocated the business from New Jersey to Tyrone, according to his obituary.

As a State College resident and businessman, Avedesian was an advocate for other local businesses through the CBICC and Downtown State College Business Improvement District. He was also committed to community involvement and fundraising for a number of charities, including initiating the OLV Teachers Trust Fund and helping found the Clare Dahlia Snetsinger Memorial Fund.

“Craig Avedesian was a local businessman, a natural hard worker and someone that always put others first and helped those in need,” the resolution stated.