Philadelphia, PA - Business owner Magdalena Pasciak is in the final stages of creating Cafesphere, a contemporary European-style café that offers a selection that includes Italian coffee drinks, leaf teas, delicious and savory croissants, locally sourced cakes and desserts zero, proof cocktails, and French baguettes. The cafe is situated at 25 East State Street in Media, PA.
The 1,500-square-foot cafe with a rooftop deck is set to open by mid-October. Pasciak's idea of owning a restaurant has existed for some time. "I fell in love with America's cafe culture when I first came to this country as an au pair in 2004," explained Pasciak. "I have never had anything like this before. In Poland, where I'm from, the idea of going out for coffee is a more formal occasion. In Poland, the coffee shop is a hub for the community."
Pasciak and her husband, Pawel, a contractor and developer, acquired the multi-use commercial/residential building in 2022 and transformed it into a sophisticated 60-seat modern cafe with European charm. "I would describe it as modern with traditional design elements -- polished but not trendy," said Pasciak. The cozy nooks and seating arrangements are scattered throughout the bi-level cafe. The large windows and skylights provide the space with sunlight and add an air of openness and calm.
The first floor is home to banquette-style seating that can accommodate 30 guests. The space is adorned by dark wood wall panels and furniture with accents of velvet green, as well as black and white mosaic flooring. One wall is highlighted by an enormous mural of "Media's hidden treasures" created by Claudia Buchanan, a local artist/art teacher and an active member of the Media Arts Council. The upper area is equipped with a fireplace, a cozy sofa, additional seating, and a space that Pasciak has dubbed a "mini-sphere" -- a mini-cafeteria for kids to play in and hang out. While the parents sip their coffee, children can have hot chocolate, chocolate milk, and healthy food items.
On the second level, patrons get a stunning 400-square-foot rooftop deck with spectacular views of the city of Media. The interior and space were created for the area by Kaminski and Pew, a prestigious design and architecture firm headquartered in Philadelphia. The restaurant consultant and former owner of multiple coffee shops, Angela Vendetti, played a crucial part in the overall design.
Cafesphere will offer beverages made from coffee beans at OX Coffee, an independent specialty roaster based in Philadelphia, as well as organic and fair trade loose leaf teas, such as matcha, chai, and more, as and raspberry herbal, which is a Polish specialty. Pasciak is also thrilled to feature local roasters who rotate throughout the season. Other menu items include sweet and savory scones and cocktails with zero proof; a French baguette menu and yogurt parfaits; custard beignets with vanilla; desserts made of mousse made by Cake & Joe in Philadelphia which, according to Pasciak "are almost too pretty to eat."
Pasciak's first venture into the world of cafes took two decades to come into existence. She was born in Poland and emigrated to Philadelphia after graduating from college in 2004. She started in the role of an au pair later at a juice bar along with a dealership for cars and even started a cleaning service in the Main Line. She got to know the man she married, Pawel, in Port Richmond's large Polish community. They got married in 2013, and one year later, they launched a practical construction and property management business together, flipping houses and renovating and managing property most notably located in Delaware County, where they now reside with their two young daughters, aged between two and five.
With her dream of being an area for community gatherings and a place for private events, she welcomes reservations that are not during the regular hours of business, as well as small group events for groups of up to 12 people on the mezzanine.
