Jul. 19—MERCER — A coffee shop in the works in Mercer will go beyond drinks and baked goods.

"This is not just a coffee house. This is so much more," Denise Orr said last Wednesday morning at Common Grounds Mercer Inc.

The faith-based nonprofit, located at 115 N. Diamond St. across from the courthouse, aims to give community members of all ages a safe, welcoming and comfortable place to gather.

"We need to take care of each other," Orr said.

A cafe run mostly by volunteers will be the organization's first ministry, and they're hoping to open the doors to the public by the end of the year.

Common Grounds needs the continued support from the community in order to complete renovations of the leased building.

They can help by making a donation, volunteering, praying or organizing a fundraiser.

This past Friday, The Lakes at Jefferson hosted a spaghetti dinner and auction for Common Grounds. The event raised $5,339, said John Libonati, a board member for Common Grounds and the Mercer County coroner.

"It's really coming together," he said of the nonprofit.

The organization got its start in 2019, when Orr was attending a prayer group at Fresh Grounds Coffeehouse in Greenville. She also volunteers there weekly.

That coffee house is run by Downtown Ministries, which is led by Marty and Martha Johnson.

Fresh Grounds is similar to what Common Grounds leaders would like to create in the heart of Mercer, Orr said, adding that the Johnsons have provided guidance.

She met with like-minded residents, and they created several committees, started collaborating with other organizations like Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission, and got feedback from various age groups in town.

The younger residents expressed a strong interest in the coffee shop. Orr noted that data from a recent Pennsylvania Youth Survey shows that about 45 percent of Mercer County youth feel sad or depressed most days.

While that data is concerning, Orr is encouraged by the feedback about Common Grounds so far, giving her confidence that the ministry will be able to fill a huge cap in the community.

"To create a safe common ground coffeehouse and cafe with a socially interactive atmosphere, inspiring relational development and outreach opportunities, providing quality products and services, and adding serving servants of Christ to the community in a way that would enhance growth in supporting a caring, unified, protective and healthy community."

Board members in addition to Orr are: Randy Bartlett, vice president; Lynne Newton, treasurer; Tammie Gerber, secretary; and Walt Johnson, Libonati, Eric Mausser, Margi Brunson and Alex Schuster.

Phase one is the cafe itself. Phase two will focus on the rest of the building — adding areas for things like community resources, games, meetings, support groups, Bible study, tutoring and community events.

In the meantime, a menu is being created and volunteers are transforming the space into a cafe.

Several walls have been painted in tones of blue and green, and the main counter is slowly coming together — some supplies have been difficult to obtain in a timely manner, Orr said.

"We ask for people's grace and patience," she said.

Until the cafe is ready, folks will see Common Grounds volunteers out and about in the community. The nonprofit often sells drinks at The Mercer Market, and they will also be set up at the Mercer Community Band concert on July 22.

Orr and the other board members thank everyone who has helped so far.

It's been a challenge — Orr broke her femur in early 2020 followed by the COVID-19 pandemic — but they are excited to be part of a project built by and for the community.

"We've overcome every barrier," she said. "There's nothing that's gonna turn it around but us.

For more information about Common Grounds Mercer Inc., including volunteer and donation opportunities, visit the organization's Facebook page or commongroundsmercer.com or email commongroundsmercer@gmail.com