In this edition of Pottstown Foodie, several greater Pottstown shops cater to coffee lovers’ cravings. Also:
- Drinking your coffee black seems beneficial, a study reports.
- Wednesday is Cheesecake Day; enjoy a deal.
- Get your fill of gummies at Rita’s Italian Ice.
- Dunk into a new Duck Donuts product, and
- Coldstone Creamery explores expansion.
Coffee is Good for You; Local Coffee is Best
POTTSTOWN PA – There’s a wealth of coffee connoisseurs across the greater Pottstown area. They’re among the nearly half of all American adults who say they drink at least one cup per day.
Fortunately, there’s also a contingent of local coffee brewers and sellers who cater to them.
They include, but are not limited to, The Beekeeper’s Cafe, 206 N. Charlotte St.; Charlotte Street Coffee Company, 59 N. Charlotte St. (and Boyertown too); Barrister’s Bagel Co., 253 E. High St. (and Royersford too); Bucktown Beans, 1111 Ridge Rd., South Coventry; and Java’s Brewin’, 296 W. Ridge Pk., Royersford.
Hopefully the Espresso Yourself Book Cafe, 249 E. High St. – currently in “transition” and temporarily closed, its Facebook page reports – will be back soon too.
If you haven’t yet spread your coffee wings beyond a single purveyor, or if you still search for the perfect cuppa, consider those and other local choices. Experts agree coffees can be much like fingerprints: none are exactly the same. One that tastes best to you is out there, being produced by shop owners who have roots in our communities.
Already got a favorite? Send us an e-mail to TravelsWithThePost@gmail.com and we’ll ensure it gets listed.
Top photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash, used by Travels With The Post under license
Drinking Your Coffee Black May Be Healthier
BOSTON MA – Coffee consumption has been linked in several studies to a lower risk of mortality. However, Tufts University researchers last month published a paper suggesting the risk level changes depending on “the amount of sweeteners and saturated fat added to the beverage.”
Their work, published in The Journal of Nutrition online, found that consumption of 1-to-2 cups of caffeinated coffee per day was linked to a lower risk of death from all causes. Black coffee, and coffee with low levels of added sugar and saturated fat, were associated with a 14% lower risk of all-cause mortality, as compared to no coffee consumption.
Caution on Coffee Add-Ins
The bad news? The same link was not observed for coffee with high amounts of added sugar (from granulated sugar, honey, and syrup) and saturated fat (from milk, cream, and half-and-half). The study looked at data on 46,000 adults age 20 and older, as well other national data, with varied coffee consumption levels and add-ins.
“The health benefits of coffee might be attributable to its bioactive compounds, but our results suggest that the addition of sugar and saturated fat may reduce the mortality benefits,” according to study senior author Fang Fang Zhang. He’s a professor at Tufts’ Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.
Photo by Alonso Nichols/Tufts University, provided to Travels With The Post
Treat Yourself Wednesday, Cheesecake Day, at Half-Price
KING OF PRUSSIA PA – National Cheesecake Day is observed Wednesday (July 30, 2025), according to the National Day Calendar.
The Cheesecake Factory restaurant in King of Prussia PA is offering any slice of its cheesecakes at half-price on Wednesday only. There are qualifiers: recipients must be dining in, at least one of those who order must be a Cheesecake Factory rewards member, and the deal can apply for up to six people at the same table but all must be present.
For the occasion, Cheesecake Factory restaurants nationwide are introducing a new flavor, Peach Perfect with Raspberry Drizzle.
Photo provided by The Cheesecake Factory restaurants
Summer Gummy Bears Reign at Rita’s Italian Ice
POTTSTOWN PA – “Gummy Bear Italian Ice,” described as a fan-favorite by promoters for Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, has returned to its stores’ menus as of Tuesday (July 28). They also are introducing an all-new Glittery Gummy Bear Gelati, the company says.
The gummy bear ice debuted in 2023. It’s made with white Italian ice “that tastes like a handful of gummy bears and mixed with real gummy bears throughout.” Rita’s glittery gelati combines “Gummy Bear Italian Ice, creamy Vanilla Frozen Custard, and a shimmering Unicorn Glitter topping,” it adds.
Both are available only for a limited time, through Aug. 24 (Sunday). Rita’s stores operate in Pottstown (2), Royersford, Boyertown, Zieglerville, Pughtown, Collegeville, Pennsburg, Birdsboro, Phoenixville, and Harleysville PA.
Photo provided by Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard
New Product, Deals Debut at Duck Donuts Locations
COLLEGEVILLE PA – Duck Donuts reports it’s offering two new ways to “satisfy sweet cravings.” The company has introduced new Donut Hole Dippers, as well as customizable $5 Duck Deals that include donuts, breakfast sandwiches, and beverages.
The dippers are “golden bites of happiness (that) come in two crave-worthy flavors, Cinnamon Sugar and Glazed Confetti,” according to the company. They’re “served with a side of creamy buttercream icing for dipping.” Dippers can be ordered in sizes of 10, 20, 50, and 120 pieces.
Duck Deals are available Mondays through Thursdays, in-shop only. They cover four combinations for $5 each. Choose two donuts and a medium beverage; one breakfast sandwich and a medium beverage; 10 Donut Hole Dippers and a medium beverage; or a donut-topped milkshake.
Local stores are operated in Collegeville, King of Prussia, and Wyomissing PA. The company is headquartered in Mechanicsburg PA.
Photo provided by Duck Donuts
Cold Stone Creamery Looks to Regional Expansion
SCOTTSDALE AZ – Arizona-based Cold Stone Creamery says it hopes to expand its presence in the greater Philadelphia area.
The franchise currently has five locations open and operating in the Philly market. It says it hopes to add another six stores in two years, and 10 over the next five years. It also suggests Philadelphia and its suburbs are prime “for business expansion, as economic development remains a priority for the growing metropolitan area.”
“Cold Stone Creamery is a beloved brand that continues to thrive in markets nationwide,” company Brand Leader Blake Borwick says. It provides guests “with a place to enjoy delicious ice cream, and connect with the community,” he adds. The franchise currently is pursuing potential prospects to accelerate the expansion, it notes.
Photo provided by Coldstone Creamery
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