Lemon Tree is Opening a Coffee Shop in Millvale!

Fundraiser Overview

 

We have been overwhelmed and overjoyed by the outpouring of community support ever since we first started selling coffee in Millvale at PRIDE Millvale 2021. From that point on we have been trying to stick to our DIY roots and slowly build towards our ultimate goal of opening our storefront and coffee shop in the heart of Millvale. We know that we need to look for other funding sources to realize our goal of having the means to equip the shop with the proper equipment and a runway to maintain a lease so that we can stay true to our Mission Statement.  In addition, we are a small business operated by three individuals with other jobs, responsibilities, and families. So with that in mind, we are attempting to steer clear of taking out loans of any kind (and accruing more debt) for as long as we can. That's where this fundraiser comes in. We are hoping that our friends and neighbors will be willing to donate towards the opening of an accessible, safe, and equitable coffee shop in Millvale.

 

 

Mission Statement

 

At Lemon Tree PGH, our mission is to create a welcoming environment centered around affordability, inclusivity, and sustainability. We strive to be a mainstay in the local community and provide our neighbors with a place where they can gather (or spend time alone) and feel safe, secure, and comfortable. We believe that Coffee is for Everyone, and should not be an item that people are forced to miss out on or compromise due to price, or any other reason. We want to ensure that cost is never a barrier for our neighbors. We are focused on shining a spotlight on local vendors, hosting and promoting diverse events, and reducing or eliminating waste wherever possible.

 

 

Who is Lemon Tree?

 

Lemon Tree PGH is an LLC comprised of 3 principal owners:

Sam McCoy Smith, Jason Hosterman, and Bobby Smith. We have been involved with community events such as PRIDE Millvale, Millvale Bike Rally, Earth Day Clean Up Party, Millvale Music Festival, and others. We also try to donate bottles of cold brew (and now lemonade) to the Millvale Free Fridge behind the Millvale Community Library. We love this community and want to help our neighbors in the best ways possible.

 

 

Core Values

 

We are committed to sustainability, mutual aid, community involvement, and socioeconomic equality. At Lemon Tree PGH we value community and put the interests and wellbeing of our neighbors ahead of profit. We take every opportunity possible to engage in sustainable practices. From using certified organic coffee beans to brew, to donating used coffee beans to be composted at local gardens, to using as many recyclable and compostable materials as possible.