In 2020, Desiree and Anthony Singleton fulfilled their dream of opening Harvest Moon Coffee & Chocolates in their hometown of Tarentum, PA. They started their journey in 2018 by converting a commercial building into a small coffee and chocolate shop. In March 2020, they opened their doors, offering locally roasted coffee and artisan chocolates. The café quickly became a local favorite, winning the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Best of the Best award in the coffee shop category in 2020 and 2021.
Harvest Moon Coffee & Chocolates thrived as a new business during the pandemic, while many others struggled. The Singletons succeeded by creating a safe and welcoming space for their community to enjoy great coffee and delicious chocolates.
After two years in business, they saw an opportunity to expand by opening a second coffee shop with chocolate production and roasting capabilities. To make this expansion happen, they reached out to the University of Pittsburgh SBDC for guidance. In 2022, they had their first session with consultant Meghan Hillegas where they discussed their expansion plans and received assistance with their loan application and financial projections.
With support from the Pitt SBDC, they secured a loan for their expansion. The Singletons continue to work with their consultant as they prepare for the opening of their second location.
Looking ahead, Harvest Moon Coffee and Chocolates will continue to collaborate with the University of Pittsburgh SBDC for business performance evaluation and strategic planning. Desiree and Anthony Singleton have a commitment to delivering a great product and experience to their customers and community, making their success story an inspiring one.
