Delanie's Coffee Opened New Pittsburgh Cafe Location
The local coffee roaster expanded into the Big Idea Center to reach a new customer base of students.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Delanie's Coffee has opened its latest cafe at the Big Idea Center on Forbes Avenue. The expansion follows the closure of a former Saxbys location at the same site, marking a strategic move to capture student traffic in the Oakland neighborhood.
Why it matters
The move represents a deliberate effort by the business to diversify its reach beyond its existing South Side and Shadyside footprints. By securing a high-traffic location in a university-dense area, the firm is positioning itself to serve a distinct demographic of student customers.
This opening adds a third location to the brand's portfolio, following established sites in South Side and Shadyside. The exact financial investment for the renovation of the former Saxbys space remains undisclosed.
The players
Delanie's Coffee
A Pittsburgh-based coffee roaster operating multiple cafe locations with a focus on local sourcing.
350°
A local bakery collaborator that provides food and ingredients for the cafe menu.
The details
The company redesigned the former Saxbys interior to better suit a cozy atmosphere tailored for students. In addition to coffee, the new site sources food and ingredients from local Pennsylvania suppliers and features collaboration with bakery partner 350°.
Timeline
September 11, 2026: Original opening date delayed due to flooding.
October 9, 2026: Official opening date of the new location.
Market Landscape
This opening represents a shift in the local retail environment as local operators move into spaces vacated by national brands. It follows a pattern of neighborhood commercial turnover at the specific site formerly held by Saxbys on Forbes Avenue.
Owners should track how student-dense locations alter seasonal demand patterns compared to residential neighborhoods like South Side. Monitor menu performance of locally sourced partnerships as a potential lever for differentiation.
The takeaway
Expanding into high-density academic hubs requires an intentional interior redesign to compete with established brand expectations. Operators should note the trade-offs in site selection when moving from residential districts into student-focused commercial corridors.
Further reading
For more on local commercial activity, see Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Pitt News.
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