We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Sieber and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary, what role has risk played in your life or career?
As someone who leans towards “Type A” risk wasn’t exactly in my wheelhouse, until making the decision to open the coffee shop.
A quote that inspired me and continues to inspire is by Theodore Roosevelt,
“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.”
Sometimes the worst risk you can take is without realizing you are making a risk, by choosing to do nothing.
Taking risks in my career has changed my perspective of risk in my personal life. Risk isn’t something to be feared anymore, because making the wrong decision is no longer my biggest fear. Being stagnant in achieving my goals and dreams in work and life are.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Stan’s Coffee Company is a small coffee shop set in rural PA. A remodeled 1860s home turned quaint coffee shop. We are nestled in a green valley full of farmland, flowing rivers, and good natured folks.
What’s more important than Stan’s location, is whose home it was before turned quaint coffee shop.
Stan and Ruth Sieber.
A self employed sewing machine repair man and a child phycologist. Stan ran his sewing machine repair shop out of the sunroom of the house that is now, Stan’s Coffee Company, for over 50 years.

Stan and Ruth were known for their hospitality, generosity, and genuine care for others. If the walls of this house could talk, the stories it could tell! And that is what Stan’s is. A place that honors their legacy of kindness and care for others, and a place were stories are shared and genuine connection with others is made. There is a seat for everyone at Stan’s table, with your choice of delicious locally roasted coffee or tea, and a fresh locally baked pastry.

Stan’s and Ruth home sat empty for a few years after their passing. We took up home in it and as a couple talked about what to do next in life. The dream of Stan’s Coffee Company started 5 years before opening day.
“Do you think we could open a small coffee in the sunroom where Stan had the sewing machine shop? Just a place for people to hangout like they use to when Stan was here.” It started with demoing the sunroom’s orange carpet, drop down ceiling, and making the windows larger. From there the whole downstairs got either demoed or a facelift and the upstairs became a apartment.
The process was a slow one as we worked mostly evenings and weekends on this project. I’ve learned through this process that most challenges in business, and life, are better shared. The amount of people who helped with the physical project of Stan’s, encouraged us, and local business owners who kindly offered advice and let me ask questions was invaluable. Community is what we wanted for opening Stan’s, but we ended up finding it along the way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My best friend Danielle visits for a week every summer! In honor of her, here is our itinerary when she visits.

The Juniata Valley is known for it’s mountains, rivers and farmland. We usually enjoy hammocking outside, floating down the Juniata river in kayaks or inner tubes, and visiting multiple greenhouses. Willow’s Greenhouse and Sunrise Greenhouse are our favorites. We almost always frequent Mexico Markets for their hand dipped ice cream and whoopie pies. We also go to the Creme Stop for their soft serve (teaberry is Danielle’s favorite flavor). We ALWAYS go to our favorite thrift shop, Abundant Blessings and stop at the Van Wert cheese for their various central PA goods. July is wild blackberry season here in PA, and Danielle and I have our designated berry picking bowls that we use every summer. And of course, Danielle orders her signature latte at Stan’s, which is a brown sugar vanilla latte. (shameless plug for Stan’s)

If you visit the valley also check out the Juniata Valley Winery and Port Royal Speedway! You also can’t go wrong checking out any Mom and Pop owned shops in the area!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Can I have a whole article dedicated to the people who supported, mentored, love, and encouraged me during the process of opening Stan’s? I’ll try to stick to one.

Ben Sieber. My husband, best friend, and business partner. Who logged countless hours of labor to remodel our coffee shop space and even more countless hours listening and supporting my ideas. Who consistently encourages me and helps me make hard decisions while running his own small business. Words will never be enough in expressing my gratitude for all you do, and more importantly who you are. Thanks for making Stan’s what it is, it wouldn’t be the same without you.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stanscoffeeco/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088381605088

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/stan-s-coffee-company-thompsontown

Image Credits
Kimberly Yoder

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