By Nicole Huff:
For years, the residents of Tacony have asked for a coffee shop –not just a place with coffee, but somewhere we can have meetings, host events, and connect with our community. We’re super excited to announce that Thunder Mug Café has answered the call and is opening in Tacony in January! In this session of the Truly Tacony Business Spotlight I had the wonderful opportunity to talk to the owner Lizette about herself, the café, and everything we should be getting excited for in the new year.
Lizette says that Tacony, “Just feels right!”
This will be her second location after opening the first Thunder Mug in the East Falls neighborhood in 2019. It has been going strong ever since–it won the Philadelphia Inquirer’s award for one of the best coffee spots in Philly!
Tacony CDC Board President, Ashley de Vries, got in touch with Lizette thanks to the Power Up Your Business Program run by the Community College of Philadelphia. This free program helps entrepreneurs grow and expand their business. Ashley knew that Tacony needed a coffee shop and Lizette was ready to expand. It was a match made in heaven! Lizette, Ashley and our Corridor Manager, Amarynth, walked Tacony, met the creative neighbors and businesses, and saw the true potential in the neighborhood. Over the past year, we’ve been working hard to find just the right location on the corridor to bring the café here. Thunder Mug will be located at 6940 Torresdale Avenue!
Lizette says Tacony feels like the neighborhood vibe that Thunder Mug Café thrives in. She aims to create a space that is inclusive to all where everyone feels welcome and she really emphasizes wanting the cafe to feel like a warm hug to all, creating a greater sense of community where neighborhood residents can all gather. Lizette also talked about being open to community feedback - her goal is to make Thunder Mug feel like YOUR cafe, and she welcomes any feedback that helps her and her business reach that goal.
Lizette truly cares about the people who walk into her business and says the thing she enjoys most about her customers is seeing everyone grow. From having couples who met in the cafe have engagement photoshoots there to seeing children grow up through the years, Lizette sees Thunder Mug’s progress through her own customers' growth as they share milestones together.
When asked about what Tacony residents and visitors should look out for when Thunder Mug opens, Lizette raved about her pastry partner, Amy’s Goods and the fresh produce market she will have as well.
We’re excited to share that Thunder Mug Café is a part of the Tacony CDC’s Storydale Avenue project. Once open, you can visit art that pays homage to the neighborhood and fosters community engagement among everyone in the café! Until then, pictures of the art can be viewed in the front window of Thunder Mug Café’s new location at 6940 Torresdale Avenue.
We cannot wait for Thunder Mug to open up in the coming year and wish Lizette and her team the best of luck! We’ll be there to support her along the way.
Coming JANUARY 2025!
Location: 6940 Torresdale Avenue
Business Hours:
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
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