A new coffee shop near Lemont is offering a focus on quality drinks and a welcoming atmosphere.
Eden Valley Coffee Co. was founded by Penn State graduate Zoe Duffus and began serving customers at 165 Elmwood Street in late July after nearly a year of planning, permits and renovations.
Duffus, 23, is originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and graduated from Penn State in May with a degree in photojournalism. She was recruited to compete on the track team but medically retired after fracturing her sacrum during her junior year.
After connecting with a local church, Duffus decided to remain in State College rather than return home or move to Colorado, where she had planned to live after graduation. She had long been interested in owning a coffee shop but expected that to happen later in life.
“I always wanted to open my own shop of some sort, but I thought it would be something that probably happened when I was older and more financially established,” Duffus said. “I was a barista for a year at Vibe Coffee my senior year, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I would love to do this for a living. Like, this is so fun.’ I’ve always been into photography and just like creating things, so creating a brand was super exciting to me.”
The opportunity came in August 2024, when her mother visited town. While looking at commercial real estate, they came across the vacant building Eden Valley now occupies. Within 48 hours, Duffus signed a lease.
What followed was months of zoning, permits and compliance requirements before construction began in April 2025. Duffus described the process as a series of logistical challenges involving contractors, plumbers, electricians and sourcing equipment.
Menu development came nearly two months ago, at the beginning of the summer. Duffus, along with a friend, tested syrups and beans, ultimately partnering with local roaster Rothrock Coffee. The shop currently offers espresso drinks, lattes, matcha, chai, pastries and cinnamon rolls.
“I would love to extend more food and give the option to people to have breakfast sandwiches, but right now, coffee is what we’re good at, so I’m kind of going to stick to that,” Duffus said. “Food and stuff throws off our flow a little bit, just because we do get super busy and get rushes all at once, which is so awesome. I think that was a surprise to me. I was not expecting to need as many workers. This is my first month doing it, so I feel like sometimes I’m building a plane and plugging it at the same time.”
While coffee is central, Duffus emphasized the importance of the environment Eden Valley creates.
“I feel like this place is more like a home than anything. I feel hospitality and just the attentiveness of the workers [is important]. If you need to dwell here for the whole day, please dwell here for the whole day and if that means we miss out on 50 lattes, then that’s fine for the day. I think the vibe of Eden is different than anything in State College. It’s kind of tucked away… you can get a coffee and feel like you’re in a different state for a bit.”
Intertwined with the café’s name and the welcoming space Duffus has started to create is her faith.
“The word ‘Eden’ was circling my mind for a bit, and the Lord speaks to me pretty clearly in that way,” she said. “Just the idea of the Garden of Eden being where we were in perfect union with the Lord, and now we’re in a fallen and broken world. So trying to cultivate an environment where people feel loved and cared for and know they’re image bearers of God and that they have a family, I think that’s really what Eden stands for.”
Eden Valley Coffee Co. is now open to the public, offering coffee, pastries, and space to work, relax and gather. Duffus said the shop is still growing but is committed to creating an intentional and welcoming space in State College.
The cafe is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is closed on Sundays.
