You know what they say: When one door closes, another one opens. Sometimes, it’s the same door.

When Saint’s Cafe closed back in December, many people mourned the loss of one of State College’s signature coffee shops. Fortunately, it was quickly replaced with Elixr Coffee, a coffee shop based out of Philadelphia.

This week, some of Onward State’s most caffeinated staffers took a trip to Beaver Avenue to get their daily fix. Of course, we couldn’t do that without letting you know what we thought.

Haylee Yocum — Iced Butterscotch Latte

Before I talk about the coffee, I just want to say that I love that the new owners didn’t completely rearrange the cafe. They didn’t give it new furniture or a completely different vibe. Walking in, you can absolutely still tell that Saint’s was once in that building, and its legacy lives on.

Now, the coffee. Fellow staffer Mackenna Yount mentioned a butterscotch latte, which I was dying to try. I get everything iced, and this was no exception. Honestly, I was afraid that the butterscotch would be too sweet, but it was perfect and counteracted the bitterness that sometimes overwhelms a latte. This item is seasonal, so if you want it, I’d recommend going in soon.

Ryan Parsons — Black Pour-Over

While I’m missing the vibe of Saint’s, Elixr was clearly picked as a replacement for a reason. The decor is cute, the menu is everything you’d expect from a coffee shop, and the drinks are good.

Since I’m an asshole coffee snob, I ordered just a black pour-over. It was good! I’m really looking forward to going back, hanging out, and trying their espresso drinks and other coffee varieties, too.

Colleen Nersten — Iced Coffee

I ordered an iced coffee, and it was enjoyable! It was nothing special, but in a good way. It did the job, and I would order it again.

I also appreciate that Elixr is open until 6 p.m. because that’s a game-changer in comparison to Saint’s’ 2 p.m. close. I’m looking forward to spending my afternoons here, and I’m excited to order hot coffee so that I can have the pretty pink cup.

Mackenna Yount — ~~Various Drinks~~

I was super happy with my experiences at Elixr. The coffee is great, the vibes are nice, and the people are so kind. The first time I went, I got a Wilton Benitez pour-over, which was a coffee from Colombia that, to me, tasted like basil. It was such a unique coffee, and I loved it so much that I bought a bag of it.

A friend of mine got the butterscotch latte, which was incredible. It will be an item dearly missed when it moves on from the seasonal menu. Since that first try, I’ve been back a few times and have been so happy with the coffee there. Go try it out, knock out some work, admire the cute plates and tiny spoons, and drink some great coffee!

Emma Kappel — Iced Chai Latte & Double Chocolate Muffin

My typical go-to order is an iced caramel latte when trying a new coffee joint. But today, when reviewing the new coffee shop on Beaver Ave. that replaced the renowned Saint’s Cafe, I had to switch things up. Saint’s was home to the best chai in all of State College (via me), and it was only fair to see how Elixr’s compared.

I ordered a 20-oz iced chai latte with oat milk and a double chocolate muffin. Both the staff and shop were friendly and welcoming. The new renovations to the tiny space bring in more natural light and a bit of modernity to the cafe, all whilst having the same homey atmosphere we all loved from the cafe’s predecessor.

With two other locations in Nashville and Philadelphia, be prepared to pay for a quality handcrafted cup of joe. It’s not much of a price increase, but it was definitely noted as I paid. The chai is good but unfortunately cannot compare to the sweet cinnamon deliciousness that I often found comfort in on cold days from Saint’s. However, Elixr’s chocolate muffin that was warmed to perfection did in fact keep me warm despite my choice of an iced drink in 20° weather. Slight crunch on the outside and gooey on the inside. Make sure to check out Elixr, and while you’re there, make sure to treat yourself to a warm double chocolate muffin.