Phoenixville’s Steel City Coffeehouse and Brewery is currently looking into opening in Collegeville Borough.

They are proposing to establish a second coffee cafe, restaurant and brew pub in the former Ursinus College Commonwealth dorm at 500 East Main Street across from Marzella’s Pizza. The venue would include a nano brewery and a listening room for local and regional musicians and other artists, according to a press release submitted by Collegeville Development Corp.

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Steel City owners and managers Laura Vernola and Ed Simpson made the announcement at the April 3 Collegeville Borough Council meeting. They are in the beginning negotiating stages with the College and the Borough and are hopeful that they can become a part of the Collegeville community this year. According to Laura, “We are looking to expand into a larger space and we believe Collegeville has a ton of potential. We want to be a part of the rebirth of Collegeville.”

The Collegeville location will serve lunch, dinner and possibly breakfast. The Simpsons will work with Ursinus College on preserving the building and they are proposing low-key branding. The distinctive tile mosaic at the Phoenixville location, which came with the building, will not be repeated here. There’s the possibility of an outdoor garden with music in the daytime.

The goal of Steel City Coffeehouse is to be a family-friendly business. Although craft beers and PA wines will be available, the focus of the restaurant is on good food and providing a gathering place for residents, students, and groups during the day, and functioning as a coffeehouse and brew pub in the evening.

They are proposing a second floor listening room featuring singer-songwriters and other musicians playing music in the genre of the University of Pennsylvania’s WXPN. The restaurant will also be available for fundraisers.

“In January of this year we surveyed area residents to find out what types of businesses they would like us to attract to Collegeville,” says Borough Business Development Committee (BDC) head Cathy Kernen. “Cafes, coffeehouses and brew pubs were high on their list of must-haves, and their live local music is a big plus. Steel City would be a wonderful addition to Collegeville’s Main Street.”

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