Where Everyone Has a Seat

 

From the outside Cafe Martha blends into the row of old brick buildings that line the main street of Bloomsburg Pennsylvania, its faded green canopy slouches over the door and the windows frosted with condensation looks to be just another cafe. But the moment the doors swing open an enchanting ambiance greets everyone who enters. The array of freshly brewing espresso with sweet homemade coffee syrups simmering together paired with the heavenly scent of freshly baked pastries, all seep into your nostrils together. Warm amber lighting encircles you, sourcing from antique wall sconces and whimsical fairy lights that have been intertwined with fabric star garland, strung across it's red brick walls, partnered with industrial notes of hanging old guitars and local artist artwork displayed on every inch of the walls. The space drums to soft indie music some tunes familiar while others entirely new. Cafe Martha serves as a place to grab a cozy coffee, while also offering a space to stay for a while and feel at home. 

(Image 1 - Corners of The Cafe)

Beyond the ambiance of the cafe capturing your attention, it doesn't take long to realize that the true warmth of the space comes from the people within it. The cafe unfolds into two main quiet corners at the front (see image 1). To the right, a soft green couch sits facing the heart of the cafe. It host an older man who reads his book in peace, slowly filing through the pages and sipping on a hot beverage. Two vacant, pink-cushioned armchairs angle toward the man on the couch. The two chairs and couch gather around a small coffee table, arranged like a mini living room. To the opposite side, three cushioned armchairs occupy that corner. Two of them face in toward the cafe, and one angles at the window. The two chairs facing each other host two middle-aged women, leaning toward each other, fingers curled around their hot mugs and their elbows on the chairs' arms. Their voices pace faster and faster, occasionally cutting each other off with short bursts of laughter. They are two old friends who have lots of catching up to do.  Stepping farther inside the cafe, a college-aged girl sits at the high-top counter closer to the barista bar, typing on her laptop vigorously. Her notebooks and pencils are scattered all around her, along with an empty glass that once held a green matcha. Along the barista bar, smaller tables line the far wall. At one sat a couple wearing heavy winter gear, who looked like they had just come from a long outdoor job. Their cheeks flushed red, they inhaled hot drinks as they split breakfast sandwiches. Another couple sits at the high-top bar right in front of the espresso machine. They converse easily with one of the baristas as if they see her every day, their conversation blending into the hissing sound of the espresso machine. 

The variety of people scattered throughout the cafe shows that Cafe Martha welcomes anyone and everyone. The friendly barista Sydney, a college-aged girl who wears her waist-length golden hair down in loose waves, that rest against her pink waffle knit sweater, paired with a hippie patterned ankle length skirt. Later she leans against the counter, her voice inviting and playful. She says, "Cafe Martha is aiming to attract customers anywhere from high school kids to middle-aged adults. We want to create a slow-paced cozy study or date spot. Somewhere you can come in and hang out for hours. We are very community-oriented and want to create a space where everyone feels comfortable and at home." Every detail carries impeccable intention. From the thoughtfully curated floor plan design that helps welcome guests, to the valued customer and staff connections. The Cafe also serves Bloomsburg through hosting special events. The cafe has gained a community through their ACL evenings, where the space opens up after hours and conversations take place only in ACL (American Sign Language), which allows non-verbal citizens to participate. This shows that Cafe Martha truly focuses on building a community rather than just being a cafe. 

(Image 3 - Espresso Shot)

(Image 2 - Co - Worker Dirty Chai Latte) 

That intention doesn't just stop at the atmosphere or its events; they carry this into every cup of coffee they serve. The rich, espresso smell upon first entering comes from that intention and not from coincidence. As Sydney explains, "While other cafes are focused on more of an in-and-out fast coffee experience, Cafe Martha emphasized creating high-quality craft coffee, all while creating a solid community." Proving this as she was tasked with making her co-worker a dirty chai latte (see image 2). She pulled the perfect shot of espresso (see image 3) by measuring out exactly 19 grams of medium-to-light ground coffee beans, before leveling the brown powder into the espresso machine, and tamping it, using 25-30 g of pressure to tightly pack it in. For 24-28 seconds she timed the espresso pull, letting it drip slowly. Then layered it over chai flavoring and almond milk. She hands over her perfectly made beverage to her co-worker, Anthony, who looks delighted by the rich flavors. Sydney emphasizes the quality of their coffee, saying, "Every bean used in Cafe Martha is roasted here in Bloomsburg by the old owners, and that using a medium to light roast is crucial when working with a professional machine." She explains, "When using a professional espresso machine, it's important to use a medium-to-light roast because the higher pressure extracts flavor differently than an at home machines, that typically require a darker roasted bean." This type of precision and quality guarantee a perfect cup of coffee every time. 

(Image 4 - Food Menu)

The cafe wasn't always known as Cafe Martha. It recently went through a change in ownership in November of 2024, the first time in its history to be accompanied with a new name. Anthony, the other barista working behind the counter, wears a backwards hat atop his blonde mop of hair, giving off a scatter boy vibe with his baggy T-shirt layered over a tight long-sleeve shirt and loose acid-washed jeans. His deep, slightly raspy voice explains, "Cafe Martha has been under many owners, and kept the original name, which was Fog and Flame, but Cafe Martha has been the first name change in its history." He further explains while mostly everything stayed the same, the new owners introduced a small food menu. "We wanted the cafe to still have its main focus on high-quality coffee." Anthony shared, "but wanted to offer something more," hence why the menu only consists of a few options for food (see image 4). Another major change the new owners made was their social media presence. This shift gives them a way to inform community members on their events, like the ACL one, and when the new seasonal flavors of drinks are ready to be served. 

Even with the more recent change in ownership, Cafe Martha continues to value its daily routines that make it feel like home. As a mother and young daughter walk into the cafe, the little girl named Izzy walks straight over to the seat next to mine, eyeing me the whole time. She looks at my bag sitting in the chair and says, "Can you move your bag? I always sit here." Her mom rushes over apologizing repetitively, but I move my bag anyway, and Izzy climbs up beside me in her chair. 

She immediately starts telling Sydney about her exciting day ahead, "Sydney! Me and mommy are going to the aquarium today on my field trip." 

"That's going to be so fun, Izzy." Sydney replies, "What animals do you want to see?"

"A SHARK!" Izzy happily shouts before her mom says: 

"Izzy, show Sydney your hair." She turns around to show Sydney her hair carefully braided into a perfect heart.

Sydney smiles and says, "My mom used to braid my hair like that every year for Valentine's Day." 

As Sydney hands the piping hot coffee to the mom, they begin to journey out the door, as the mom calls back over her shoulder, "Bye Syd! See you tomorrow." 

As the mother and daughter duo walk out the door, the cafe proceeds on like normal. Sydney continues brewing coffee for the next guest, and Anthony ventures his way back to the kitchen. Guests still mill about in their seats conversing with old friends, peacefully reading their books, and checking off their school assignment to-do lists. Cafe Martha invites everyone in and to stay, while gifting us with a craft-quality coffee experience and fresh pastries to savor. Here everyone has a seat.