Boutique Shops and Community Feel Key to Saxonburg’s Charm
- Vanessa Orr
- 1 minute ago
- 4 min read
Did you know that there’s a Brooklyn Bridge in Saxonburg, PA?
When most people think of this iconic New York structure, they don’t expect it to be in a rural community about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh. Yet the bridge’s creator lived and worked in Saxonburg, where a small-scale model of the bridge stands today, poised above a community park.
Founded in 1832 by brothers John Augustus Roebling and Frederick Charles (Carl) Roebling, Saxonburg was originally known as Germania before being changed to “Sachsenburg,” which was later anglicized to Saxonburg.
After working as a farmer, John Roebling decided to return to his career as an engineer, where he developed a way to produce wire rope that he made at his workshop in Saxonburg. This cable was later used on several suspension bridges that Roebling designed and built — two in Pittsburgh, one in Philadelphia, and most impressively, the famed Brooklyn Bridge in New York.
Modern Days
Visiting Saxonburg today, it’s easy to imagine what the town looked like in an earlier time; a number of homes built in the 1830s on Main Street contain thriving businesses today. In fact, 32 buildings along the street are more than 100 years old, earning it recognition on the National Register of Historic Places. This includes the German Evangelical Protestant Church, which stands sentry at the highest point on Main Street, looking down over the charming town.
While much of Saxonburg is steeped in history, its true strength lies in its sense of community, which visitors can feel when they wander the streets and stores of this former farming community.
“What I like best about Saxonburg is the sense of camaraderie here,” explained Valerie Cannon, owner of Speckled Hen Chocolate Company. “It has a real hometown feel, and we get a lot of support not only from our customers but from other local businesses as well.”
Buying local is important to those who live and work in the area, and Speckled Hen is a prime example of this idea in action. The chocolate shop, which is now in its 14th year, uses ingredients from local farms and grocers, including pumpkin from Harvest Valley Farms, strawberries and raspberries from Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market, and peaches from Saxonburg Feed Company and Freedom Farms Market. They also use Wired Blend from Saxonburg Coffee & Tea to make their espresso bark product and carry jams from Batch in their Butler County gift baskets.
Cannon said they also get to know their customers personally so they can have the products they want to purchase on hand.
“Today, I’m making sea salt caramels for Mary Jane because I know she’ll be coming in, and Linda will also be in for two peanut butter-covered apples,” laughed Cannon. “I also just spoke to a gentleman who asked if I could make amaretto truffles for Valentine’s Day because that’s his wife’s favorite. So I’ll be making those fresh for him.”
Batch is another unique Saxonburg business that focuses on homegrown, handmade food and gifts. Located in an original Saxonburg home on Main Street, the company, owned by Meghan Pohl and Jessica Brewster, started selling its products at farm markets before opening a storefront in Saxonburg 11 years ago.
“We began making jams and jellies in small batches, which is how we got our name, and now we offer soups, breads, chicken salad, a different salad every week, cold sides, quiche on Saturdays, and a different meal every Friday,” said Pohl of the company’s handcrafted pickup meals that make the inside of the store smell heavenly.
According to Pohl, the partners chose Saxonburg because they wanted to be part of a community.
“We didn’t want to open in some strip mall in Cranberry,” she explained. “Jess is from the Zelienople/Evans City area, and I’m from the Saxonburg area, so we looked at both places.”
“I stopped into the Saxonburg Coffee & Tea Shop to see if they would carry our jams and jellies, and the owner at the time was a big advocate for Saxonburg and growing the town,” she added. “So we opened up a storefront in an old bakery and later moved up the street to where we are now.”
Pohl said the community fits Batch’s theme of supporting small-batch farmers, so they also carry other makers’ products, like honey, candles, salts, and oils.
“Everything we do is based around supporting small makers and farmers and our local community,” she explained. “As a younger person, I never thought I’d live here this whole time, but it comes down to the people — everyone is so supportive, especially since we opened a business here. They want you to do well.”
Come for a Visit
Shoppers coming to Saxonburg can enjoy a wealth of boutique-type opportunities, including a visit to Robin’s Nest Healing and Apothecary, where owner Robin Metsger makes her own teas, or Crystal Cove or Three Rivers Glass, both of which host craftmaking workshops. Saxonburg Coffee & Tea is a great stop for a warm drink and a catch-up chat on the bench outside, and Saxonburg Heritage Wine Cellars is a popular place for slushies, beer, and wine. Visitors can even take something special home for dinner from Thoma Meat Market’s family-owned butcher shop.
There are also great gathering spaces, including Vintage Rose Tearoom and Events and Grist House, The Beer Market, which now has a location at Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market.
Vintage Rose Tearoom (formerly the Saxonburg Tea Room on Main) is located in a historic 1880s building that hosts afternoon tea and holiday events, baby and bridal showers, birthdays, and unique classes and workshops.
The Beer Market is in partnership with Pocha by Kye-Won, an authentic Korean-style eatery. The taproom offers customers an extensive tap list of Grist House beers, delicious Korean-inspired food, a cozy indoor space, and a heated outdoor patio to enjoy.
Visitors can also show up for special holiday events as well as Mingle on Main, which supports local artisans and makers. The free event is held on the third Thursday of the month from May to September.
“Any event in town, people show up,” said Pohl. “We love a street party, live music, and supporting local food and artisans. It’s like a little piece of nostalgia when you come here.”