Pouring Out the Love

When you walk into Duffy's Coffee House, 312 S. State St., Clarks Summit, make sure you look at the walls because your next-door neighbor's artwork could be hanging there.

Every month, Duffy's features a local artist of the month as well as a student artist of the month and, every week, Duffy's hosts live music on Friday nights from 7-9 p.m. and an open mic night on Saturdays from 7-9 p.m.

"Our goal before we opened was to have this place become a part of this community and to have the community become a part of this place," said co-owner Mari Walker. "This is like our big refrigerator. When your children are little, you like to hang their drawings up on the refrigerator. This is like our big community refrigerator. We're proud of the local talent and want to do what we can to encourage it."

"When were planning on opening we talked about providing an outlet for all ages," added co-owner Edwin Doherty. "The kids up here were looking for someplace to go and there wasn't really a place. There wasn't really a place for the older clientèle looking for a place to go to relax nor was there a place for local artists. We wanted to fill that void. Everyone's talent is appreciated here."

While listening to the local musicians or admiring local artists' work, Duffy's also offers baked goods made on premises as well as pies from Williams Country Store in Newton, which is run by Walker's uncle and was originally owned by Walker's grandfather. Duffy's also offers a full lunch menu that is available until 8 p.m.

One treat that visitors can try is "pour-over" coffee, made at a pour over bar specifically constructed for the shop, which uses coffee from Electric City Roasters in Scranton.

"The pour-over method is the best way to brew coffee," Doherty explained. "We use boiling water with all-natural filters and each cup is freshly ground for that person when they order it. It steeps for two minutes, so you get the full extraction from the coffee versus some of the other methods."

"With our pour-over bar, we had it designed so the customers can watch the process as it happens, that's why we have it where it is," Doherty continued.

Regardless of whether you want to check out the Abingtons' art scene or try something different for your daily cup of java, the staff of Duffy's want people to feel welcome.

"People are being brought together here, whether through coming in with friends for a cup of coffee, coming to listen to the music or coming to enjoy the artwork," Walker said. "That is what we want and it is an honor for us. We want to be an old-fashioned coffee house. Our house is your house."

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