Hilltop Coffee in Arlington a special meeting place for owners
Many of the dates Jami Szalla and husband Dan Gladis went on before they got married were in coffee shops.
Now, the couple has a place for a forever date night.
They own Hilltop Coffee, a shop in Arlington that opened in December.
“We have always enjoyed coffee shops and we are avid readers, so this business is perfect,” said Szalla, who grew up in nearby South Side Slopes. “I love the vibe of this area. Coffee shops are a perfect way to get to know your neighbors, and maybe the love of your life.”
Located on Arlington Avenue, the shop is in a former heating and air conditioning company. Before that, it was a candy store.
“I have always wanted my own business, but not a full-blown restaurant,” said Szalla. She was familiar with the food business because her father and uncle owned The Green Front Inn on East Carson Street in the South Side. The bar and restaurant closed in February 2020 after 40 years.
She and Gladis, who live close by, started planning for the coffee shop just before the pandemic hit last year. They talked with owners of a coffee shop they frequented, the North Side’s Kaffeehaus (now The Garden Cafe), — about running such a business.
Covid-19 delayed construction and the opening. They were able to receive Urban Redevelopment Authority funding and got some assistance from Honeycomb Credit, a startup investing crowd funding platform.
Szalla left her full-time job as an accountant for UPMC. Gladis, who helps out before and after work and on weekends, is employed by Allegheny County courts.
Szalla said she wanted the shop in Arlington because “this is home.”
“With Pittsburgh there are so many neighborhoods and each one can have its own coffee shop,” said Szalla. “People like to try different coffee places which represent different areas of the city. This part of Pittsburgh is special to me.”
Hilltop Coffee sells Colombian roast from Creative Coffee & Supply in Downtown Pittsburgh. A tall size is $2.50. Owners created the Arlington Steamer, which is honey and caramel syrup, steamed milk, whipped cream and topped with caramel sauce.
They also sell hot chocolate and tea.
Baked goods from South Side based 350 Bakery and macarons from Pittsburgh’s Aycho Melange.
Janie Crawford, who co-owns 350 Bakery with Barb Reale, said collaborating with a neighbor such as Hilltop Coffee is the perfect combination.
The bakery, which does wholesale to 20 local coffee shops, is open as a retail shop on weekends.
“This was right up our alley to work with them,” Crawford said. “It’s a business we can walk to and we coffee and baked goods are a great combination.”
This shop features artwork by family members, including Szalla’s mother-in-law, Susan Ryan, a graphic artist.
She designed the company logo, which represents the sun and blue sky. The plan is to showcase work from local artists, Szalla said.
James Sichak of Arlington, already a regular, came in on Thursday for a tall coffee. He often helps neighbors by shoveling their sidewalks.
Szalla told him his cup of java was paid for by a friend who left extra money as a way to support the new business.
“I love this place,” said Sichak. “It has a great feel to it. I feel welcome here. I appreciate their presence in the neighborhood. With so many places closing, it is refreshing to see something new here. They are like a bud in spring.”
Hilltop Coffee is located at 2400 Arlington Ave.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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