A popular bakery and coffee shop is expanding its footprint in the Philadelphia region with two new locations.
The Buttery, owned by husband-and-wife team John and Silenia Rhoads, plans to open cafes in Bryn Mawr and Northern Liberties, joining its existing outposts in Malvern and Ardmore.
After a successful soft opening on June 13, the Bryn Mawr shop is set to officially open Saturday.
“It’s been really fun for me to see the Bryn Mawr community’s response. It brought tears to my eyes last week. I was so happy and honored. Each [opening] feels like we’re having a baby, we put so much heart and soul into each of these,” Silenia told What Now Philadelphia.
The Northern Liberties location, which will mark The Buttery’s debut in the city, is slated to open later this year.
“It felt like a natural extension for us. We started out in the suburbs, but fresh bread, good pastries and coffee are welcomed everywhere. With Northern Liberties being a great, walkable neighborhood, I think it made sense for us to land there,” John told What Now Philadelphia.
Each location features a distinct design tailored to the building’s layout.
“We go with what the shell is and then work from there, always keeping that vibe we have of a homey feel—soft seating, lighting and wallpapering,” Silenia said.
The coffee, tea and food offerings will remain consistent across locations. The team partners with local farmers, sources high-quality ingredients and takes a hands-on approach to every dish prepared in its scratch kitchen.
The menu features seasonal breakfast, lunch and dinner staples, including salads, soups, tartines, hand-tossed pizzas, shareables, breads and pastries.
“If guests want something sweeter, I would 100% recommend our tartine with a chocolate hazelnut spread. It has strawberries and bananas, with mascarpone cream and honey. It just hits the spot with your morning coffee or tea,” she said. “For savory, we have a Harissa breakfast sandwich, which is a little spicy. Our breakfast sandwiches are big right now.”
The Buttery aims to serve as a third space for community members.
“We want to make it approachable for everyone—something that’s easy to pop into and just get a latte on your way to work, meet up with a colleague during the week or brunch with friends on the weekend. We want it to be a daily watering hole in the community and a fun place to gather,” John said.
The duo looks forward to joining Bryn Mawr and Northern Liberties.
“It’s really about the people, our team and our customers. It’s the way we interact with one another, getting to know our customers, welcoming guests and seeing their faces light up, getting them excited about the hard work we put into the food—that’s rewarding,” he said.
Visit The Buttery website and follow along on Instagram for the latest updates. Stay tuned!
