Saxby’s Coffeehouse Serves the Southside Bethlehem Community, by Anna Piecuch

Saxby's Cafe, located on the corner of W Morton Street and S New Street, operates in a quiet environment of Lehigh University studying students and working adults alike on Monday, October 4. The decorated space in Saxby's encourages creativity and brainstorming of students and community members who choose to settle down here to complete work on weekdays. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
Saxby’s Cafe, located on the corner of W Morton Street and S New Street, operates in a quiet environment of Lehigh University studying students and working adults alike on Monday, October 4. The decorated space in Saxby’s encourages creativity and brainstorming of students and community members who choose to settle down here to complete work on weekdays. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
Chae Eun Kim, of the Lehigh University Class of 2022, studies at the counter in Saxby's on Monday, October 4. Kim is a student athlete at Lehigh who competes in hurdles for the track and field team. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
Chae Eun Kim, of the Lehigh University Class of 2022, studies at the counter in Saxby’s on Monday, October 4. Kim is a student athlete at Lehigh who competes in hurdles for the track and field team. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
A Saxby's employee bags a baked good for a customer on Monday, October 4. Saxby's is hardest hit by crowds of Lehigh students after classes end, commonly occurring around 10:30 a.m. and noon. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
A Saxby’s employee bags a baked good for a customer on Monday, October 4. Saxby’s is hardest hit by crowds of Lehigh students after classes end, commonly occurring around 10:30 a.m. and noon. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
Sarah Bonthuis, of the Lehigh University Class of 2023, orders a pumpkin matcha latte for the first time at the Saxby's cash register on Monday, October 4. Bonthuis has been afraid to try matcha due to rumors that it tastes like grass, but she decided to go out of her comfort zone and give it a try. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
Sarah Bonthuis, of the Lehigh University Class of 2023, orders a pumpkin matcha latte for the first time at the Saxby’s cash register on Monday, October 4. Bonthuis has been afraid to try matcha due to rumors that it tastes like grass, but she decided to go out of her comfort zone and give it a try. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
A variety of coffee blends are brewed and labeled in fun ways in Saxby's, pictured on Monday, October 4, ranging from dark roast to decaf. "Pep Talk," and "Liquid Courage" inspire workers and customers alike to seize the day with their preferred cup of coffee prepared with care at Saxby's. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
A variety of coffee blends are brewed and labeled in fun ways in Saxby’s, pictured on Monday, October 4, ranging from dark roast to decaf. “Pep Talk,” and “Liquid Courage” inspire workers and customers alike to seize the day with their preferred cup of coffee prepared with care at Saxby’s. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
Sydney White, student of the class of 2023 at Lehigh, poses at a table in Saxby's coffee shop on Monday, October 4 at 3 p.m. Sydney enjoys the quiet, calm atmosphere of Saxby's, as well as its convenient proximity to her off-campus residence. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
Sydney White, student of the class of 2023 at Lehigh, poses at a table in Saxby’s coffee shop on Monday, October 4 at 3 p.m. Sydney enjoys the quiet, calm atmosphere of Saxby’s, as well as its convenient proximity to her off-campus residence. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
Employees at Saxby's dodge each other while balancing multiple orders on Monday, October 4, as the line of students accumulates midday. Saxby's not only brews coffee and makes other specialty drinks, but the cafe specializes in making signature breakfast grilled cheeses, as well. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
Employees at Saxby’s dodge each other while balancing multiple orders on Monday, October 4, as the line of students accumulates midday. Saxby’s not only brews coffee and makes other specialty drinks, but the cafe specializes in making signature breakfast grilled cheeses, as well. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
A customer's chai latte with almond milk stands prepared at the pickup counter on Monday, October 4 in Saxby's coffee shop. Students popularly order almond or oat milk to avoid lactose intolerant issues that are commonly associated with the consumption of whole, dairy milk. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
A customer’s chai latte with almond milk stands prepared at the pickup counter on Monday, October 4 in Saxby’s coffee shop. Students popularly order almond or oat milk to avoid lactose intolerant issues that are commonly associated with the consumption of whole, dairy milk. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
Sarah Bonthuis and Sydney White exchange a laugh at the table Sydney has reserved in Saxby's on Monday, October 4, right by the window across from Farrington Square. Sarah and Sydney have been long-time roommates during their entire experience at Lehigh University thus far. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
Sarah Bonthuis and Sydney White exchange a laugh at the table Sydney has reserved in Saxby’s on Monday, October 4, right by the window across from Farrington Square. Sarah and Sydney have been long-time roommates during their entire experience at Lehigh University thus far. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
Sarah Bonthuis tastes her pumpkin matcha latte carefully on Monday, October 4. Although Bonthuis said that the combination of pumpkin and matcha was refreshing, she will not order it again. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
Sarah Bonthuis tastes her pumpkin matcha latte carefully on Monday, October 4. Although Bonthuis said that the combination of pumpkin and matcha was refreshing, she will not order it again. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
The tip jar sits almost barren besides the cash register in Saxby's on Monday, October 4. Because Saxby's offers students the option to pay with GoldPlus dollars, students are less likely to have cash on them to add to the employees' shared tip jar. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
The tip jar sits almost barren besides the cash register in Saxby’s on Monday, October 4. Because Saxby’s offers students the option to pay with GoldPlus dollars, students are less likely to have cash on them to add to the employees’ shared tip jar. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
Emptied plastic coffee cups accumulate in the trash can within the exit door to Saxby's, displayed on Monday, October 4. Students in a hurry to class or club meetings sometimes do not take the time to thoroughly wash and recycle their plastics. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).
Emptied plastic coffee cups accumulate in the trash can within the exit door to Saxby’s, displayed on Monday, October 4. Students in a hurry to class or club meetings sometimes do not take the time to thoroughly wash and recycle their plastics. (J024/ Anna Piecuch).

Saxby’s Café, located across from Lehigh University’s Farrington Square, is a popular destination for many students in between classes daily. The café is a common study space, social hub for students, and a workspace for local adults in the area to open their laptops and continue the grind. Not only does the coffee shop offer signature roasts and specialty drinks to accompany customers’ workloads, but it also makes breakfast burritos, grilled cheeses, and air-fried tots.
Lehigh students are common attendees to the café, but Lehigh students make up most of the staff at Saxby’s as employees behind the counter, as well.
Megan Feliciano, a senior psychology major at Lehigh University, has been balancing academics and working at Saxby’s for the past two years. She began working at the café because she “always wanted to be a barista,” and envisioned a “dream moment,” romanticizing the idea of being behind the counter serving others coffee.
The hardest moments for her on the job are the rushes around breakfast and lunchtime during the week while classes are in session. “Rushes are usually crazy, because people get out of their classes around 9:20 or 10:45 in the morning,” Feliciano said as she sat down on her lunch break to study for an upcoming psychology exam.
However, Feliciano also enjoys the rewards of being a barista, which include others’ approval of her drinks.
“The best part of the job is when I make a drink and the customer takes a sip of it right in front of me and goes, ‘mmm,’” Feliciano said with a grin. Luckily, Feliciano’s best friend works with her at Saxby’s, alongside other fellow Lehigh students.
Sarah Bonthuis, a junior at Lehigh, tried a matcha latte for the first time, with a hint of the seasonal pumpkin extract, at Saxby’s on Monday, October 4. Sydney White, Sarah’s roommate and a junior at Lehigh, tagged along to observe Sarah’s reaction to the drink.
“The combination of matcha with pumpkin was surprising and refreshing,” Bonthuis said. “However, the more I was drinking it, the less I liked it.”
Many Lehigh students have gradually returned to campus upon this past spring and are enjoying a fall semester that allows in-person socializing and group studying complimented with quality food and drink. Still taking safety precautions to the best of their ability, small businesses like Saxby’s are staying afloat and continuing to provide Lehigh students and others a local coffeehouse safe space to get their work done.

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