Aldo Coffee sold, to continue under new owners (updated)

Updated 2011-11-14 09:00: Edits to clarify that it’s more of a transition than a reboot. In particular, service at the shop is expected to continue largely uninterrupted.

Rich and Melanie Westerfield of Aldo Coffee Co. on Washington Road have announced on their blog that they have sold the coffee shop. According to the post, the shop will undergo a metamorphosis but remain open under new but familiar owners:

[C]come 6pm on Tuesday, the era of us owning Aldo Coffee Co. in Mt. Lebanon will come to a close. We think the new owners will open on Wednesday, keep things as is through the weekend and then close for a few days before Thanksgiving to give the place a facelift. They will be open for LightUp Night.

As those close to the story know, the buyer used to work for us. She's a two-time regional barista competition finalist and also competed in the US Barista Championship twice. She is wonderful and you do or will soon love her.

Check the original posting for full details.

Aldo Coffee Co. has been my favorite coffee shop since I learned of it in 2005. I'm sad to see Rich and Melanie move on, but I am grateful for all that they have done to improve the Pittsburgh coffee scene. From competing seriously in regional and national espresso championships to blogging regularly about coffee and where it comes from, they have helped raise Pittsburgh's coffee status nationally. And that we had a shop of Aldo's caliber here in Mt. Lebanon has been a blessing to all of us who love coffee.

From all of us at Blog-Lebo, we wish the best to Rich and Melanie, and to the new owners. We're looking forward to a continued tradition of great coffee on Washington Road.