Caffeine Scene: Take Five Expresso Bar serving up 'good coffee and consistency' in York

Lena Tzivekis, York Daily Record
·3 min read

Editor's Note: This occasional series explores the York County Caffeine Scene: Where you can go for a delicious cup of coffee and other tasty treats

It’s Thursday morning at Central Market in York, and just as the sun begins to rise, Phyllis DeStephano, owner of Take Five Expresso Bar, starts to brew her coffee of the day.

She spends her early morning grinding various aromatic beans, chatting with other market vendors as they enjoy a hot cup of coffee at the bar.

And there are over 10 different types of coffee to choose from.

A cup of Hazelnut is enjoyed by an older gentleman reading his paper, and a flavored decaf for the woman sitting beside him.

Though she is not the original owner of the coffee stand, DeStephano said her key to keeping the shop running for the last 10 years is “good coffee and consistency.”

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While coffee is something she now makes and drinks every day, it was not always the case. In fact, before taking over the stand, DeStephano said she never even drank coffee.

“Growing up, my mother would make coffee every day, but it’s funny I never even drank coffee,” she said with laughter.

In 2012, DeStephano was working in food management like she had been for well over a decade and was looking for a change. So she quit her job.

Phyllis DeStefano, owner of Take Five Expresso Bar in Downtown York's Central Market, holds a pound of her best-selling coffee beans, California Gold in July, 2022.
Phyllis DeStefano, owner of Take Five Expresso Bar in Downtown York's Central Market, holds a pound of her best-selling coffee beans, California Gold in July, 2022.

“My niece at the time had a stand here (at the market), and she said this one was available, and I should come check it out,” DeStephano said.

So, she did.

Now, she is a coffee lover, with a growing customer base of "market vendors, attorneys, locals" and more − many of whom have become her friends.

“I’m open Tuesday through Saturday, and if I go on vacation, I give people plenty of notice,” she said.

The stand is open from 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. on market days and 7- 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday and Fridays.

DeStephano also offers a variety of brewed coffee, and espresso beverages, and her menu extends to over 20 different at-home coffee bean flavors.

“For coffee beans, I have a variety of options, and I flavor them all by myself.”

The beans are brought in from a variety of roasters from the East and West coasts, and creatively flavored by DeStephano. Some of her more popular beans include Chocolate Pecan, California Gold, and Caramel Pumpkin.

DeStephano connects with her Sicilian roots by preparing espresso beverages such as lattes, cappuccinos and double espressos and recommends flavoring your coffee order with her two favorites: Amaretto and Chocolate Milano.

Though the syrup is alcohol-free, the Amaretto iced coffee offers a sweet and nutty almond flavor, with notes of cherry, resembling the Italian liqueur.

DeStephano said running a coffee stand was never something she saw herself doing, but she loves it.

One of her regulars refers to Take Five Expresso Bar as "a great place to get the best, cheap cup of coffee in York."

"It's just like someone's coming into your house, sitting down and having a cup of coffee. You meet a lot of good people, and I've made a lot of friends."

Take Five Expresso Bar is located inside Central Market at 34 W. Philadelphia St., York.

Lena Tzivekis is a Central Pa reporter. Do you know a local eatery she should check out? Email her at etzivekis@gannett.com, or message her on Twitter at @tzivekis!

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Phyllis DeStephano runs Take Five Expresso bar in Central Market