The Moth Coffeehouse, with its calming views of the Conines Millpond, is located in Allentown, NJ and is owned by Zoe, Corky and Kris Danch. It was created in 2015 on the lowest floor of the old mill and is named after the luna moth.
According to Zoe Danch they chose the name when they started the business since “the luna moth signifies new beginnings.” It has been almost four years exactly since that date and business is booming.
If you’ve ever seen a cafe in a movie, where everyone seems to know each other in a small town and the environment is peaceful inside and out, that’s the vibe that the Moth has. Also, it features healthy and tasty vegan and vegetarian food and is less than 20 minutes from MCCC.
Their drinks menu consists of items like espressos, cappuccinos, kombucha, and cold brews and there are many non-dairy milk options. The prices range from $1.85 to $5.50.
The food menu offers varying types of healthy dishes like beet burgers, chickpea sliders, vegan sausage sandwiches, and more with prices starting at $4.75 for the daily soup. One of their most popular dishes is the vegan mac and cheese, priced at $6.75.
Nida Bajwa, a Liberal Arts major at Mercer, says, “I love how they have a variety of vegan options to choose from since I don’t eat meat. If I were to choose my favorite one it would have to be the beet burger!”
On a typical Saturday, you can expect to find the place filling up at lunchtime with a line almost out the door. The line usually moves smoothly as customers order and pay at the counter and then the food is brought to the table.
The seating area inside has comfortable chairs and a couch in one corner. There are high top tables at the windows and green low-top tables featuring images and clippings from vintage local newspapers glazed onto the top. Natural wood is featured throughout. It is a perfect environment for studying or grabbing brunch with your friends.
Angelica Pettinato, a Liberal Arts major at Mercer, says of the Moth, “I like the decor and setting, it is very cozy and inviting. The staff is always very friendly and their coffee tastes amazing.”
A good lunch option is the Grilled Veg. The nan bread is soft, chewy and lightly toasted. Inside, there is a combination of flavorful grilled vegetables such as zucchini, mushrooms, peppers, onions, with melted cheese blending in between the vegetables.
The Grilled Veg, priced at $8.50, comes with a side salad of lettuce, shredded carrots, red cabbage, tomatoes, and cucumber, topped off with what appears to be balsamic vinaigrette.
Sarah Miller, 19, said, “The first thing I thought when I walked in was…it is such a cute coffee place.”
If there is any aspect where the Moth comes up short it is the minimal amount of parking provided outside in a small gravel lot that is shared with several other businesses housed in and beside the old mill building.
The gravel path leads down to a larger lot but it is intended for people headed to Heritage Park which is just behind the Moth. Most patrons have to park on the street. One tip for busy times is to turn onto Lakeview Drive which is a block north of the Moth and has two parking areas.
The Moth is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m and is a perfect spot for students.
