The Ancestor Coffeehouse and Creperie, owned by the Stammel family, purchased Swatara Coffee Company’s Jonestown and Annville locations in late February of 2023 according to local media source LebTown.
Rick, Pam, and Ally Stammel began negotiations for acquiring Swatara from John Noll and Joanna Guldin-Noll in November of 2022.
Ancestor Coffeehouse and Swatara were connected prior to the sale. Swatara purchased its coffee beans from Ancestor’s sister business, Sonder Coffee Company. Rick Stammel cited enthusiasm for Swatara’s people and culture as inspiration for the purchase. Stammel told LebTown “We visited the locations and were very impressed by the people. The thing we’re enjoying the most is getting to know these young people and working with them.”
The Stammels aren’t planning any immediate changes to either Swatara location. The new owners are currently evaluating existing practices. Ally Stammel stated “For now we are taking the time to review their processes and their best practices. We’re not changing anything for at least a few weeks or months.”
Customers can expect changes in the early summer. According to Ally Stammel, the new owners will likely perform a major overhaul to the interior decoration and any menu modifications in May or June. The Stammels have purchased equipment from 3 J’s Coffee and will be upgrading the espresso machines, freezers, refrigerators, and tables.
The Nolls have been instrumental in the transition of power, working closely with the Stammel family to ease the process. Joanna Noll encourages patrons to stick with Swatara’s new owners, saying “We’ve received really positive feedback, both in person and on social media. Give them a chance.”
Swatara Coffee Company is a green business that uses sustainable practices, sourcing as much as possible from local businesses. Both locations share the same menu, which includes a variety of hot and cold handcrafted drinks, with an emphasis on coffee beverages. Swatara offers breakfast dishes ranging from egg sandwiches to avocado toast, deli sandwiches, and soup and salad options.
