Engchik Eats Newest Podcast! Listen Now!

 I've got new podcasts! Check it out! Featuring Laura Vernola-Simpson, co-owner of Steel City Coffeehouse in Phoenixville, PA on Fall eats, hot drinks, and their nanobrewery!

https://anchor.fm/engchikeatsbychristinet

Phoenixville Favorite Steel City Coffeehouse & Brewery Debuts Pantry with Local Goodies

In these uncertain times, the restaurant industry has had to do a pivot unlike any other. Enter Steel City Coffeehouse and Brewery- which can now add store to its credentialed lineup. 

Steel City is now offering a pantry of locally sourced goods that cater to the local community and keep the love local. This boutique pantry is offering jams, granola, gluten-free bakery items, and so much more! You can try various items while you shop, too. 

"We sample one item on Saturday and Sundays to help drive sales and to allow our customers to try before they buy. All of the items are available for in-store shopping or curbside via our website," says co-owner Laura Vernola-Simpson.

 

"We really needed to adapt to the pandemic and when we initially closed indoor dining we were selling off our products, which our customers were really excited about. We sold out all of our inventory pretty quickly. About a month later customers started asking us if they could buy eggs, bread, and other items so that gave us the idea to add in the pantry offering not just items we already had but specialty items from small batch makers around the country," says Laura. "We use Faire, an online wholesale company for small batch makers, as well as our local friends like Stoudt's Wonderful Good Market Bread, Door Step Dairy, and Conebella Farm Cheese in Elverson, PA, plus Small Batch Granola (Vermont), Crisp & Co Pickles (Pennsylvania) and our honey spreads from Bumbleberry Farms (Somerset, PA)

 

Laura says so far the Feedback has been great! " We are hoping to add more requested items. Hot sellers are the essentials like milks, eggs, butter, cheese, pickles, and the Big Spoon Roaster Bars from Durham, NC.

 

The Steel City Pantry is now open 7 days a week through the end of winter 2021, 7am Monday through Friday, 8am on Saturday & Sunday, currently with limited indoor and outdoor seating, and has complimentary wifi. Steel City offers curbside takeout and delivery though UberEats.

 

Steel City Coffeehouse opened in 1997 and is Phoenixville's oldest coffeehouse and only listening room & live music venue. Since its inception, Steel City has gone through many changes (and owners). In 2016, it experienced a rebirth and has maintained its status as the artistic hub within the community under the ownership of Laura Vernola-Simpson and Ed Simpson. 

In early 2019, Steel City Coffeehouse became Steel City Coffeehouse and Brewery. Head Brewer, Jeremy Burke (formerly of Tuned Up Brewing) has been focused on creating their signature Steel Mill Stout, as well as two other seasonal brews. Steel City sources locally and supports fellow small businesses.

Check out their new pantry today!

When's Laura Going to Hit? 5 Must-Have Hurricane Prep Items

Zooming in earlier than usual during the 2020 Hurricane Season is Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna and Isaias. But what’s ahead? When will Laura make landfall in your area? How can homeowners get ready for severe weather?

“From our research, we’ve determined that there are five must-have items for every household in a hurricane area,” says Daniel Marshall, vice president of marketing and business development with Scepter^™. “These items can kick-start a homeowner’s recovery effort.

 “With any luck, a homeowner may never be in a post-hurricane situation that demands they use these items. However, given that the most amount of severe weather during hurricane season traditionally strikes in late August through early October, it’s essential to prepare now and be ready.” 

5 Must-Have Items

     #1 – Water – People should have enough clean water so that one gallon per person is available for at least three days. This water is for drinking and sanitation. And, if you have a family, this can add up. Scepter offers a five-gallon BPA-free water container that is available in stores and online. Having these large containers filled before the storm assures homeowners of clean, fresh water for not just their use, but for pets.

 

 #2 – Food – A three-day supply of non-perishable food should be available for every member of the family, and for pets. Canned fruits, pastas, stews and other items may require a manual can opener. Health bars, peanut butter and jelly, trail mix, dried fruits, pudding cups and other items that require no refrigeration or heating are the best items to stock the cupboard.

 #3 – Fuel – Gasoline, kerosene and/or diesel fuels are needed to operate power generators, chain saws and emergency tools. Available in one-, two- and five-gallon sizes, Scepter™ SmartControl™ fuel containers  have an innovative spout design that makes it easy to fuel equipment without losing a single drop. To handle larger fuel needs, the rugged 14-gallon Duramax has a patented pump handle with a spill-proof shut-off. Sturdy six-inch wheels help easily transport the container. Videos showcasing proper filling and safe use of Scepter fuel containers are available on the company’s website.

 

#4 – Batteries– People living in a hurricane prone area know that having a good stock of batteries is essential. With potential power outages, batteries become critical for operating flashlights and weather radios, which should be part of a disaster survival kit. They can also help with battery-operated lanterns and fans. A good supply of both LED and alkaline batteries should be on hand to operate items for at least three days.

#5 – First Aid Kit and Medicines – In the aftermath of severe weather, homeowners may need bandages, antiseptic creams, rubbing alcohol and even sunscreen. It’s also a good idea to have a stock of often-used over-the-counter medicines along with prescription medicines. Special items should also be in the kit, including hearing aid batteries, syringes and related medical supplies. The American Red Cross offers a comprehensive checklist of what should be in an emergency first aid kit.

While these top five items are of primary concern, there are additional items people should have available, like fully-charged cell phones, cash, tarps, duct tape and heavy garbage bags. The U.S. government has a special dedicated site for building a disaster kit that families should review annually. “We’re right at the point in time during the summer when people must take precautions seriously,” says Marshall. “It’s important to prepare now and store fuel, water, food and other necessities to ride out potential storms.

“Too many people wait for a hurricane to be forecast in their area before getting ready. By that time, it’s too late. The plywood is already gone. Fuel and water containers are out of stock. Supermarket shelves are empty. You don’t want to be in that situation, especially during an early-starting hurricane season like we’ve had in 2020.

“Severe weather conditions can mean long, extended periods of time without power or access to clean water. Travel may be impossible due to downed trees and flooding. Making sure to have the essentials on hand can help families immensely.”

Constructed in North America, Scepter fuel and water containers are made of high-density polyethylene and can be found online and throughout the U.S. in The Home Depot^®, Walmart^®, Lowe’s^®, AutoZone^®, Pep Boys, Target and Northern^® Tool + Equipment stores. Visit www.scepter.com for more information.

Get Ready for Kombucha Town

I love kombucha! I drink local kombucha, I brew my own, but when I tried Kombucha Town, I was soooooo happy! With flavors like Ginger, Blueberry and so many others, you have got to try specially brewed and canned Kombucha Town. 

Kombucha Town is on a mission to replace soda as the drink of choice for Americans and empower people to live healthier, happier lives.  

- As of 2019, they have sold 1 million+ cans of kombucha, and kept 1 million bottles out of landfills. 

 - Good for You - Kombucha Town is a low sugar kombucha, with a proprietary brewing process that isolates the highest quality cultures in each batch

- Good For the Community - Social responsibility is a core value for Kombucha Town. They use Fair Trade Certified ingredients, sponsor community arts and culture organization, and pay our workers a living wage 

- Good for the earth - They are partnering with One Tree Planted to support the Orca Project and plant trees in the Pacific Northwest. They are certified Organic & non-GMO, and give back as a 1% for the Planet company.