It was time to celebrate at 292 Beverly Road Friday morning, as more than a dozen people gathered for the official opening—and ceremonial bread cutting—of Mediterra Café.
Within an hour of opening for the day, a line had already formed inside the café, known for its handmade pastries, artisan breads and gourmet pantry items. Families gathered to enjoy a breakfast sandwich next to the large open sliding glass doors (perfect for a 70-degree day in November, while providing added circulation for those wanting to grab a bite amid the global pandemic.)
The café, with its modern European vibe, offers a wide array of unique items in its retail section, including local honeys, specialty chocolates and even bottled Greek Artisan olive oil. (To read more about its background, check out our September new business story [1] featuring Mediterra.)
Mediterra opened October 29. Its temporary hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m .to 3 p.m.
“We’re so excited to be here,” said Nick Ambeliotis, president and founder. “Mt. Lebanon was our first Pittsburgh home and we were here for many years. We look at this as a homecoming.”
This is the second location for Mediterra, which opened a café in Sewickley in 2018. The family-run business’ parent company, Mediterra Bakehouse, opened in Robinson in 2001.
Family member Nicole Ambeliotis McLean, of Mayfair Drive, who will help run the Mt. Lebanon location, said this café will bring unique offerings to the area. “It’s a great space and we love the area. We’re really excited to bring everything that we have to offer to the area,” she said.
For the family-run business, it’s important to have an environment—and lots of menu choices—that people of all ages will love.
“We do really well with families. We’re a family-oriented place,” Nick said.
“We like good food, but we like to be able to take the whole family somewhere,” Nicole added.
Mt. Lebanon Commission Vice President Mindy Ranney, Ward 1, said she’s been hearing great things from the community surrounding Mediterra’s opening. “As the vice president of the Mt. Lebanon commission, we are so thrilled that Mediterra chose Mt. Lebanon for their next location,” she said. “We’ve heard fantastic things from the residents that have visited already about the quality of food and the atmosphere and the unique offerings in the store.”
Eric Milliron, commercial districts manager, worked with Mediterra for a couple of years in an effort to help them find a location in the municipality.
“We’re just very excited that we found a place for them to land on Beverly Road,” he said. “I fully anticipate that this is going to be a massive success and draw for the entire street. And, it will be here for many years to come.”