Treat yourself at some of Pennsylvania’s finest bakeries and cafés that just happen to be women-owned and operated. Visit these talented bakers and baristas to show your support in honor of Women’s History Month. You just might find yourself coming back for more of their mouth-watering creations throughout the entire year!
Sweets & Treats
1. Vegan Treats
Bethlehem
Lehigh Valley native Danielle Konya has been serving up delicious vegan cakes and soft serve in her hometown for more than 20 years. Vegan Treats was the first of its kind in the area and has since won a treasure trove of accolades, both national and international for the tasty and ethical treats. From candies, cakes, cookies, and cannolis to whoopee pies, brownies, doughnuts, and soft serve — your taste buds will rejoice!
2. Chocolates By Tina Marie
Hummelstown
For more than 30 years, Chocolates by Tina Marie has served the community’s sweet tooth with exquisite, small-batch artisan chocolates. Growing up just west of Hershey, owner Tina Olaf-Lerch’s passion for chocolate started at a very early age. Using the freshest and highest quality ingredients — including homemade butter cream fillings — Tina and her family create perfectly crafted chocolates that will surely have you falling in love.
3. Leona’s Ice Cream
Pittsburgh
The ten talented women of Leona’s dream team share a mutual passion for creating delicious, 100% lactose-free ice cream from 100% real dairy. Owners Katie Heldstab and Christa Puskarich and their team of self-proclaimed “sugar wizards” bake every cookie, make every brownie chunk, and carefully watch each pot of caramel to create the perfect scoop of both traditional and creative flavor combinations. Their mantra is “Ice cream is what dreams are made — and we dream big,” in the firm belief that every belly should be able to enjoy ice cream, and we agree!
4. Country Junction Restaurant
Smicksburg
In the mood for some hearty, homestyle cooking? Plan to visit Country Junction Restaurant where owner Tawnya Huff and her staff prepare a roster of mouth-watering favorites. Daily specials include turkey and stuffing on Tuesdays, beer-batter fish on Fridays, and the weekend favorite — oak barrel steak that has locals marking their calendars. They’re also busy each day baking delectable homemade breads, buns, pies, and desserts that taste just like grandma used to make and maybe even better.
5. Bridge Street Chocolates
Phoenixville
After spending two decades doing the “corporate thing,” Gail Warner, owner of Bridge Street Chocolates, ditched corporate life for her life-long passion — CHOCOLATE! For more than a decade, Gail has been serving up her amazing, award-winning chocolates in her cozy gourmet chocolate shop. Her delightful chocolates are made with the finest ingredients and come in a tasty variety of flavors. The beautiful packaging adds a special homemade touch that lets you know they’re made with love.
6. Market Street Pastries
Blairsville
Becky Marshall’s Market Street Pastries is a delicious addition to this suburban small town. Her extremely talented team of ladies creates fine pastries, artisan breads, and savory items. All are baked fresh from scratch daily, right on the premises using the highest quality ingredients. Located in a completely restored historic building, enjoy your favorite pastry in their comfortable seating area or the book nook.
7. Kia’s Cakes
Lansdowne
Baker Zakiyyah McKelvin has been making cakes for her friends and family since she was a teen. Now, she owns Kia’s Cakes — successfully converting her passion into a profitable business. Nearly 11 years ago she upgraded from prettying up “boxed cakes” to teaching herself how to make exquisite custom creations using natural ingredients. She takes pride in establishing her business as “Your Neighborhood Bakery,” catering to the community’s sweetest of cravings with dessert cakes, cake pops, cheesecakes, muffins, cookies, and more than 40 flavors of cupcakes.
8. The Peppermint Stick Candy Store
Boyertown
Bit-O-Honey, Mary Janes, Turkish Taffy — if you loved these candies growing up, a trip to The Peppermint Stick Candy Store in Berks County might be in order. Shop owner Rachael Kehler’s charming store is a magical place where favorite treats from yesteryear share counter space with modern favorites such as yummy, salted caramels, sophisticated truffles, and other gourmet favorites. The wonderful selection of penny candies might have you second-guessing your choices. Luckily, Rachel will gladly ship candy right to you if you’re in need of a refill!
9. Speckled Hen Chocolate
Saxonburg
Since 2013, Valerie Cannon and her husband Matt have been bringing gourmet chocolate to Saxonburg with their store Speckled Hen Chocolate. They take pride in creating the most unique chocolate items imaginable including the fan-favorite raspberry and blackberry tower and their peanut butter fudge. They hand-dip all their chocolates and make their mouth-watering fudge in-house. Whether you’re a dark, white, or milk chocolate champion, your sweet tooth will be satisfied with their homemade treats.
10. Second Daughter Baking Company
Philadelphia
This Philadelphia-based artisan bakery, Second Daughter Baking Company, was recently recognized as a James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Baker. Sisters Rhonda Saltzman and Mercedes Brooks run their successful business outside of the BOK Building in South Philadelphia with no public storefront, operating exclusively on a pre-order basis. Shop their homemade brownies, focaccia, cookies, and pies. Don’t miss out — The Philadelphia Inquirer has called the shop “one of the best places to purchase pie in Philadelphia.”
11. Sweetheart Confectionary
Huntingdon
Jana Weaver took her childhood dream and made it a reality by opening her cupcake bakery and candy shop, Sweetheart Confectionary, in 2012. Today, she specializes in making fresh, scratch-baked cupcakes in a variety of flavors, including fan favorites Peanut Butter Cup, Pineapple Upside Down, and S’more. She also offers a wide selection of gourmet chocolates and candies to satisfy any sweet tooth. You can order her delectable, signature-flavored or custom-decorated cakes for your next event or as sweet surprise for someone very special, including yourself!
12. GG’s Gourmet Café
Saltsburg
When strolling the streets of the charming, historic canal town of Saltsburg, stop in GG’s Gourmet Café. Come hungry for their homemade cuisine made from family recipes that have been passed down over decades. Staying true to their traditions, they offer a selection of delectable baked goods, fresh coffee, home-cooked meals, specialty cakes, cheesecakes, and desserts that are made to order for your special occasion. Run with so much family love, it’s no wonder why sisters Meredith and Christine Galloway’s café has been voted “Best Bakery in Indiana County in 2022” by Best of Indiana County.
13. Whirling Dervish Bakery & Coffee Shop
Annville
Grab delicious old-fashioned goods on the go from Whirling Dervish Bakery & Coffee Shop. If not in a rush, owner Becky Gacono invites you to take a seat indoors to enjoy treats and sip freshly brewed coffee in her from-scratch bakery or on the open-air back patio. While waiting, shop candles, pottery, and unique knick knacks from featured local artisans, and don’t forget to visit the display of Bakery Gnomes!
14. Bittersweet Café
Farmington and Ohiopyle
Enjoy a farm-to-table breakfast, lunch, or pastry made by owner Terri Krysak at Bittersweet Café. Founded in 2015, you can take-out or eat-in some of the café’s signature dishes such as their Bittersweet Chicken Salad or Apple Harvest Salad while sipping a cup of their specialty coffee or handcrafted iced tea. If you have time, pop into their second location, Bittersweet at The Falls in Ohiopyle, and stay tuned for more information on their Stay Bittersweet location, which is coming soon.
Coffee Shops & Cafés
15. Elementary Coffee Co.
Harrisburg
Everything you need to know about starting your own coffee shop can be learned at Elementary Coffee Co. Founded by Andrea Gove, this environmentally conscious shop offers tutorials, demonstrations, and training to anyone interested in jumping into the industry. Not to mention, both their historic Broad Street Market and North Street locations brew a mean cup of java. Caffeinate with a cup crafted with love by Andrea and jump-start your coffee shop dreams.
16. One Good Woman
Camp Hill
For the past quarter century, One Good Woman has been an area mainstay and great place to grab a delicious cup of joe! After purchasing the business from founder Holly O'Connor, owners Michelle Kock and Mechelle Webster have maintained the tradition of providing the freshest product possible in a cozy and relaxed setting. The unique shop offers specially crafted gift baskets filled with guests’ choices of specialty coffee, fresh tea, and fine foods.
17. Abeille Voyante Tea Co.
Millvale
Combining a decades-long passion for tea and long-time infatuation with the healing properties of herbs, Danielle Spinola opened Abeille Voyante Tea Co. to feed the mind, body, and soul. This cozy, eclectic tea shop and plant-based café is conveniently connected to the Millvale Community Library and offers an extensive selection of the highest quality teas from around the globe. Sip on your favorite or one of Danielle’s custom blends while nibbling on bites from their walk-up food menu, which includes several delicious vegan options.
18. Pressed Coffee & Books
Pottsville
Abby Weaver’s independently owned Pressed Coffee & Books combines the best of hot coffee and cool reads. Grab one of their high-quality coffees, teas or lattes before picking up a page-turner for the ultimate lazy Sunday. While there, be sure to try one of their scrumptious sweet or savory crepes, a yogurt parfait, or a jumbo scone or muffin from Cake Pros.
19. Vault + Vine
Philadelphia
Peicha Chang launched the new and improved Vault & Vine flower and coffee shop in Philadelphia, which re-envisions her original East Falls location. The unique urban oasis sells seasonal flowers and plants, as well as beautifully made and artfully crafted gifts. Their in-store café is the perfect place to unwind, meet a friend, or catch up on some work while enjoying locally sourced coffees and sweet treats.
To discover more women-owned businesses in PA, check out the VISIT PA website and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram to stay up-to-date on even more great ideas and places to visit around our state. Don’t forget to never miss an Don’t forget to never miss an update and sign up for our monthly PA travel e-newsletter.