What started out as an idea to create a gathering space for the Levittown community has come to fruition.
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On Saturday morning, The Bridge coffee shop opened in the 6800 block of Bristol-Emilie Road in Bristol Township’s Levittown section next to the Bailey’s Bar and Grille shopping center.
The coffee shop features a modern and relaxing interior designed to serve customers and also turn into a place for gatherings and work conferences.
The crew behind The Bridge promise it will be different than other coffee shops, especially the chain ones. One of the big differences is that The Bridge’s mission of fellowship is supported by Restoration Church on Pinewood Drive, which owns the shop and has been a driving force in its creation.
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Shawn Swaim, who is part of the team behind The Bridge, said it was recognized there were no non-chain coffee shops in Levittown and that there was a need.
“We wanted to create a community space that would bridge people to one another. The spirit of bringing people to one another and a greater purpose are all things we long for and hope for,” said Ross Manders, the pastor at Restoration Church and a Fallsington resident.
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The shop will serve coffee, hot cocoa, espresso, steamers, lattes, and a variety of pastries. Manders said the coffee is from the Pennsylvania-based Collective Coffee Project, which roasts locally, sources globally, and harvests ethically.
Andrea Newton, who is helping run The Bridge, said the shop plans to add more food options in the future.
While the building was once the home of a 7-Eleven, the interior bares no resemblance, as the team who created The Bridge took the entire building down to the beams.
Credit: Submitted
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Swaim said the building was in need of work after they took over, which led to the complete overhaul.
The inside features photos of local scenes, including Bucks County’s covered bridges.
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The shop interior features wi-fi and plenty of outlets for those who need a charge, Swaim said.
In the future, The Bridge will look at expanding its offerings outdoors as the warm weather returns.
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The idea for the church becoming involved in a coffee shop started in early 2017 and only grew stronger during the pandemic. Restoration Church leadership was supportive of the idea, Manders said.
“We wanted to build relationships with our community in a safe space,” the pastor said. “We wanted to create a space that was for the community and that we could get to know our community.”
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The church congregation and a crowdfunding campaign helped fund the start of The Bridge. Members also donated their time and skills to help get the shop opened.
While the church hopes to build connections with the community, the shop needs to be financially stable and pay the bills to stay open.
Profits made by The Bridge will be returned to the community through local nonprofits.
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“Our customers will know that every purchase is doing good for the community,” said Manders, who plans to work from the shop regularly.
The Bridge will rent out its facility for community groups and local businesses.
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The Bridge plans to be open from the morning into the late afternoons.
Manders and Swaim said they believe the community will embrace the coffee shop, which will be for those looking for coffee, a bite, conversation, or a place to stop in to get some work done.
“We don’t want this to just be a place to come and get a cup of coffee,” Manders said. “We want you to come do your work. We want this to be your office away from the office, your home away from home. We want this to be your living room you and your friends go to. We want this to be the place you chose to gather with your community.”
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