Press Release:
The Raven Cafe is officially open at 2256 Mt. Carmel Avenue within The Dovetail at the Glenside Lanes. Serving Philadelphia’s own Rival Bros Coffee, the Raven Cafe is co-owned by Glenside locals, Jason Dooney, Lara Witt, and the Dovetail and CO Lab’s owner, Rhiannon Punzo.
The three friends formed a business partnership to open the Raven after Dooney and Punzo spent over a year hosting and producing local music shows at the CO Lab, featuring a 2025 summer residency by Abington’s own, Who In The Room? and many other local bands and artists. The co-owners shared that the decision to partner and open a coffee shop felt like the organic and natural next step in expanding The Glenside Lanes’ potential to be a hub that can welcome locals daily and become a destination for newcomers and out-of-town visitors.
“The business model for our entire building is built around community. Being able to share space, customers, and marketing can help each individual owner manage some of the overwhelming costs that come with having a brick and mortar in today’s economy,” shared Punzo. “The cafe was something Jason, Lara and I dreamed of separately. Coming together to bring it to life created even more of a “it takes a village” vibe!”
Punzo (above left), Dooney (above right), and Witt (above middle) told Glenside Local that partnering with Rival Bros felt like an ideal partnership for a new cafe.
“We wanted to bring our collective communities the kind of coffee that honors the process from cultivation to brewing. Rival’s standards and values are aligned with ours and we hope that people will come visit us to enjoy the kind of coffee that asks us to slow down and consume thoughtfully, rather than rely on corporations that extract from coffee farmers, their workers, and the communities that base themselves in,” said Witt.
The co-owners share years of individual coffee shop and food service experience and said that the Raven will also be serving Rishi Tea, pastries, and other delights, and expanding their service to include seating and live music shows. Dooney said that the Raven Cafe is a collaborative effort and welcome to all.
“We wanted to create a proper cafe that was reminiscent of the 90s and early 2000s, one that is comfortable, friendly, and quirky. We deliberately steered away from the sterile decor that is so ubiquitous now,” Dooney noted. “Eventually, we’d love to be open later and host live music and events regularly. I have always thought Glenside needed a proper cafe and third space where people can just hang out with friends, meet and build community relationships, be creative, and share ideas.”
The Raven is open daily and their current hours are:
- Mon: 7 AM – 2 PM
- Tue-Fri: 7 AM – 3 PM
- Sat: 8 AM – 4 PM
- Sun: 9 AM – 2 PM
For more about the cafe, you can visit their Instagram page.
For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.
Photos: The Dovetail, Raven Cafe, & The CO Lab