Happy Earth Day!

One of the benefits of this time has been the pause from “business as usual” to reconsider our objectives. Sustainability has always been important to us, but it can sometimes be difficult to make the right choices on a limited budget. During the past few years we have updated our water filtration to a complete in-house system that requires fewer cartridge changes than the standard reverse osmosis setup. We have switched to all LED lighting, we source many of our products locally, we compost and utilize compostable drinkware, construction and maintenance have always been addressed with sustainable solutions in mind, we invest in air filtration for the indoor environment, and we encourage traffic by foot, bicycle or public transit.

Since COVID-19 has allowed us to change our business model, we are saving more money on utilities. With the savings, we have purchased carbon offsets for the shop. The energy supplier we are working with buys Pennsylvania wind and solar based sources of power, so we are also contributing to a greener future for our region.

We take our role as a community steward seriously. We recognize that our responsibility to make great coffee only matters as long as our neighbors are all safe and comfortable. It has been a fine line treading between confidence in what we are implementing and extreme caution for our most vulnerable and the safety of our staff. We thank you for wearing a mask, ordering online, not approaching the register area, and waiting outside if you’ve arrived before your drink is ready. I know it feels awkward, it’s strange for all of us, but keeping everyone safe is our biggest priority. In addition to the added sanitation protocols, we are practicing social distancing between staff members, which is why you see fewer of us behind the bar, and the limited hours.

Thankfully, most people have been happy to adopt our new online ordering setup. If you haven’t heard, please visit www.constellationpickup.com before your next visit! We are happy to serve you and honored by your continued support.

Coronavirus Concerns

We are proud to be a neighborhood spot where you feel comfortable visiting daily. With growing concerns of the coronavirus in our community, it feels important to share with our customers that we are implementing extra strategies to help slow the spread of this virus. You are used to seeing us keeping the cafe tidy between guests, but we have added sanitizing all door handles, “high-touch” areas, and register stands to our regular routine.

We have always encouraged employees to take time off when they aren’t feeling well, and offer paid sick days. We continue to encourage this practice, but also need to mention that with a small staff, we may have irregular hours due to staff shortages. Thank you for being patient as we try to work through this problem, and we look forward to maintaining a healthy, happy and caffeinated neighborhood!

Reopening Schedule

Thank you all for the kind messages during our rebuilding of the bar! The support of this community is what allows us to tackle a project of this size. We are so excited to share what we’ve been working on with you. We should be back in business by next week!

Owning a small business can be challenging. The elusiveness of traditional financing, economic reality of meager budgets, and pressing need to stay relevant all require constant creativity. Our contractors, Longing Woodworks, have been awesome to work with. They brought a thoughtful, sustainable approach to this project that improved my bare-bones plans for the space and adapted it to a professional level. They also invested a percentage of the funds from this project into reforestation and habit preservation, and encouraged the use of local materials as well as consideration to the lifetime cycle of our product choices. Mark Anstis of All Finished Interior Design has done a beautiful job painting the space. You’ll notice his creative touch in the updated lighting choices and improvements to the ambient environment. Everyone has been working non-stop to ensure we meet our schedule. As long as there are no surprises, we are set to reopen on Wednesday, January 22nd.

We are so happy to continue our commitment to this neighborhood and so grateful for the support. See you soon!

Rebuilding the bar

Our bar is the heart of the coffee shop. Drinks are ordered, made, and served from it’s corners. It’s the pulse of Constellation, where conversations and new acquaintances branch out. Our dear bar has done it’s best to grow with us, but we are very excited to announce it’s getting a remodel.

The bad news: we have to close for a few days while we get the work done. On Sunday, January 5th we’re closing at 2pm to allow us time to clean out and get ready for demolition. We will be closed Monday, January 6th through January 20th. We will keep you posted on social media (instagram @constellationpgh) in the instance that plans change. It’s our hope that things progress more quickly than expected and we can get back to brewing ASAP!

Thank you for your support. It is your continued patronage and enthusiasm that allows us to complete this project. It means so much to us that Constellation exists as a community hub, travel destination, and your daily spot for great coffee. We wish you a happy and prudent start to the new year.

End of summer updates

Here’s hoping you got the best out of that pool pass, enjoyed every BBQ opportunity, and had a great Pittsburgh summer. We’re very excited about our fall announcements this year!

One of the best things about working with Song Tea is the sourcing pays homage to the farms, the farmers, processing, and the seasonality of the teas. Huang Mudan brilliantly showcases the exciting, pioneering spirit and the intentional craftsmanship required to produce an amazing tea. Freshly picked in the Spring of 2019, it smacks of pineapple, fresh cracked peppercorn, and violet. Try it in store or grab a canister to brew at home. We are sorry to say goodbye to some of last season’s favorites, such as Buddha’s Hand, but make sure to try a cup of Ruby if you’re a devoted fan of experimental oolong teas. We are also happy to announce everyone’s favorite tea, Holy Basil has returned! This season’s tea menu is full of standout options, so come visit and see what’s new.

In addition to some changes in the tea lineup, we’ve got some switches happening at the pastry counter as well. All your favorites are still available, but we are also offering croissants and sandwiches from Madeleine Bakery. Madeleine specializes in freshly baked European breads and beautifully prepared pastries, the Kouign-Amman has been tough to keep in stock! Crustworthy Bakery has been supplying us with delicious sourdough based vegan goodies, made with locally milled flours. Yum!

You may have seen some new bags on the retail shelf lately. If you haven’t tried it yet, you must sample Moden, a roaster based out of Pittsburgh’s east end. Named for the Norwegian word for “ripe,” Moden sources coffees with attention to innovative growing practices, ethical land stewardship, and equitable treatment of workers and farmers. We are pleased to offer these additions to our brewing lineup!

We brew a lot of coffee daily, and it’s been a thorn in our side to see all that lovely, organic matter make it’s way to the trash. Customers are still welcome to get their fill of grounds for their gardens, but we are excited to be pairing up with the Zero Waste Wrangler for regular compost pickups! Our cold cups, lids, and straws are all able to be commercially composted, so feel free to return these to the shop so we can keep them out of landfills. Also, we offer great double-walled ceramic tumblers for hot coffee, so we can all cut down on the paper waste. Thanks for helping us to reduce and reuse! As for recycling, you can always throw your recyclables in the bus tub and we’ll make sure they get directed to the proper bin.

Cheers to a great start to the new season, and we hope to see you soon!

Back to school season!

Hi all! The smell of Maple Spice Lattes and pumpkin pastries wafting through the air has us looking anxiously towards the fall. We have also had a number of diligent Virgos inquire as to what the next drink special would be!

The Virgo process is constantly inquiring how a person can have a positive impact on their environment, or how small steps may lead toward some great work. On a good day, Virgo is the analyst. Give this sign a data set and watch the magic happen. On a bad day, Virgo carries out it's nasty reputation for nit-picking, suggesting improvement in ways that aren't helpful.

Being associated with the Earth element, Virgo prefers things to be natural. In the northern hemisphere, we find ourselves in the season where we must ferment, can, and prepare for the approaching cold. In medical astrology, Virgo is associated with the small intestine.

A recent suggestion from my family (Virgo Headquarters) suggested looking through the archives of the Farmer's Almanac for a Switchel, or Haymaker's Punch recipe. Switchel is a punch made from apple cider vinegar, ginger, molasses and fresh, clean water. This checks all the boxes for a perfect Virgo beverage - detoxifying, includes a fermented ingredient, is good for your gut and includes a little bit of research!

So, cheers to another lovely season, and one I am particularly grateful for, since I seem to find myself surrounded by so many amazing Virgo folks.

August Specials

Our sister cafe, Satellite, is now open! Come visit us 8am to 1pm Monday through Friday and 9am to 2pm on Saturday and Sunday. We are also at the Swissvale Farmer's Market from 9am to 1pm every Saturday. We are fully stocked and ready to serve espresso drinks, drip coffee and iced coffee. We also have assorted snacks and cold-pressed juices. We're still getting comfortable in the space, but once we're done with a few last minute projects we'll expand our menu and our hours. Thanks for the support!

At Constellation, we are continuing our planetary elixir theme with the introduction of our almond granita. Lightly sweet and refreshing, try it paired with an espresso and croissant for a Sicilian-style breakfast treat. The Sun is now located in the domain of Leo the Lion, and represents a time when things are at their peak. Days are long, harvests are abundant, and celebrations are plentiful.

We've chosen almonds and orange blossom water as the flavorings for this snack because both fruits are grown in warm climates and enjoy a storied history. Almonds have long been appreciated as a super food, boosting brain power and lowering blood pressure; oranges represent a gift of sunshine. The shaved ice base acts a balance to all the strong flavors. Leo is sometimes considered "the King of the zodiac" because it is associated with the Sun, the center of our universe. We've all got our little empires to keep running smoothly, so it is our hope that this drink combination makes you feel like royalty - please enjoy it!

Summer Solstice

This Spring was definitely a whirlwind season! We are in the process of opening a second location! Join us at Satellite, our new café and espresso bar. We are hoping to be open by early July – stay tuned on social media @satellitepgh for the latest scoop, and visit us Saturdays at the Swissvale Farmers Market in the Noble Street Parking Lot.

Satellite is located at 7518 Dickson Street, inside Switch and Signal Skatepark. We’re not far from Edgewood Town Center and just a hop, skip and jump away from the Roslyn Street Busway. You are welcome to visit the skatepark, but don't have to skate to enjoy coffee and snacks. We hope to see you soon!

The season of the Crab begins with the summer solstice on the 21st of June. Represented by the moon, Cancer seeks to reflect and be nourished by its environment. This is a time of year when we tend to feel a little more emotionally raw, and need more comfort and support from our surroundings. We feel most safe in our shells, and approach the world with care.

Current events in East Pittsburgh and around the country have been testing our abilities to live our lives with compassion and vulnerability.  Cancer season reminds us to take the time to honor our sensitivity, and so we invite you into our space with a drink designed with watermelon, basil and aloe to soothe and nurture. Watermelon and aloe were chosen for their hydrating and healing qualities – they protect the skin from the sun’s rays. In many cultural traditions, basil is recognized for its strong flavor and said to have the ability to preserve and protect the home and family.

Visit the café to relax, and check out our new refrigerated options – we’ve got sandwiches and snacks from Pittsburgh Sandwich Society, as well as beautifully curated cheese plates from our neighbor, Chantal’s Cheese Shop. The cheeses were selected for their ability to complement and pair well with our coffee. Perfect for a picnic at the Bloomfield Pool!