Business & Merchant

Last Updated on Wednesday, 01 December 2021 22:24

By Lois Thomson

A new coffee shop opened in Monessen in September, but if you think it is just a place to stop in and get a cup of your favorite brew, you're mistaken. In addition to featuring specialty coffees and teas, along with a wide assortment of delicious pastries, His Place – located at 100 3rd St. – is committed to giving back to the community.

His Place Coffee Shop is located at 100 3rd Street in Monessen.

His Place is owned by the board of a corporation called Full Potential Project, which owns the building – formerly a firehouse – and the coffee shop. According to Lisa Lyons, one of the board members, His Place was the dream child of Tim Burgan, lead pastor at Christian Center Church in Rostraver. Pastor Burgan previously hosted a program on Cornerstone TV called "His Place." Lyons said the program had a coffee shop setting, and people always wanted to know where the place was. "When he left, it was in the back of his mind to touch a community, and bring them hope and light; and what better way to do that than with a coffee shop?"

Lyons added that Cornerstone gave them the rights to use the name. "We're a 501(c)3, we pay our employees the best wages and pay the bills, and the rest of the revenue goes back into the community." One way that is done is by offering a free tutoring program for K-12 students Monday evenings. "It's called Illuminate, because we want to illuminate their brains, we want to turn the light on."

On the second Thursday of the month, His Place – in conjunction with Monessen Public Library – holds a children's story hour, hosted by Marsha Adams, children's coordinator. Knit Wits, a knitting and crocheting group, meets once a week, as does an exercise and wellness class. Lyons pointed out that during these activities, there is a special room for children where their parents can see them at all times and know they are safe.

His Place was four years in the planning, and Mike Hough, executive pastor of Christian Center Church, said, "We looked at a couple of different towns, but after a lot of prayer and a lot of looking, this is where God led us. We bought the whole building, and the church family raised the money, believing in the vision, which is to reach the community outside of church walls."

Lyons added, "We didn't just come in, we had been doing outreach [in Monessen] for years. Opening a business is a new endeavor for all of us. It's been a blessing for us to be here."