Bellevue, PA is home to a brand new coffee shop. Cyclops Café is exactly what the area was waiting for. With only one other coffee shop in the area with a vastly different menu and atmosphere, it’s amazing that someone didn’t think to open it sooner.
Owner Jeremy Denniston is a 26 year old entrepreneur viciously looking for ways to improve his community. Cyclops’ name came about as a pun of sorts, as Jeremy was born blind and regained sight in one eye after a corneal transplant when he was just 6 weeks old. This tenacious attitude is exactly what makes this business wildly successful.
“I love this place. It’s where I grew up, and after living all over the US, it’s still my favorite place. I’m happy Cyclops is starting to create a real community here,” said Denniston.
Jeremy slaves away 7 days a week for up to 14 hours a day, serving coffee to the community he loves and believes in so much. In the 6 months that Cyclops has re-opened, they have hosted several events including “Live on Lincoln,” a night of art, music, and community; a weekly knitting circle; and acoustic night. He's even managed to get big political figures such as John Fetterman and Connor Lamb to stop by for a political panel.
“Each of these events have attracted several hundred people and brought so many different types of people together. I'm just lucky to be in the middle of it, let alone being one of the people that are coordinating everything.”
Nearly everything that is inside the shop (furniture, décor, etc.) has all been handcrafted and sold by Pittsburgh locals, or donated. Many local artists and makers sell their work at Cyclops as well. Pieces by Songbird Artisty, Moon and Yarn, David J Creative, David Connelly, Logan Tilley, Rustbelt trading co. and many others can be found for sale inside.
“I now know all of these creative people, and I’m honestly a little jealous that I don’t have that kind of skill, but I’m lucky I get to give them an outlet to showcase it.”
This beautiful hybrid of a coffee shop and event space has strengthened the sense of community in Bellevue. It is a place where small business owners, politicians, local creatives and everyone in between meet to share a cup of joe, and get to know one another.