Coffee is something that’s part of college life, and it’s no different at Penn State. In State College and the surrounding areas, there’s a variety of coffee shops for students and residents alike to get their daily caffeine fix, from the drive-thru style 7Brew to a local shop like Eden Valley.

Amid the constant expansion of the coffee scene, Pump State Café has its own little community about 10 minutes from campus in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania. The gas station-turned coffee shop is located just across from the Pennsylvania Military Museum, and the shop draws in regulars from students and residents.

“We opened in October 2005 and have really grown and evolved since then,” said co-owner Heather Jones. “Before we were Pump Station, it was previously ‘Ken’s Texaco’ service station. We’ve tried to keep some of the charms like the original garage doors and our golf sign. When we first opened, we even would have our staff wear these pinstripe shirts for a mechanic look, but we eventually outgrew that.”

After Texaco shut down in 1992, Pump Station was created by three guys whose kids played football together and decided it would be cool to open up a coffee shop. Pump Station, since opening, has tried to source locally for what they sell and produce.

“It’s been important because we’re a local business too, so it matters so much,” Jones said. “We get all our house coffee and rotational blends exclusively from WC Clarke’s Cheese Shoppe, and they buy our muffins from here, so it’s a bit of a trade-off.”

Pump Station has tried to stay consistent with the feel of their shop while still staying up-to-date.

“Our menu has morphed and changed based on what our customers want and what has come into trends,” Jones said. “The area around us, though, has stayed pretty similar throughout the years. We luckily don’t have student high-rises going in like they do maybe four or five miles down the road.”

The area has stayed pretty consistent since the original ‘Ken’s Texaco’ was built in the late 1940s.

If you do end up making your way to Pump Station, there are a couple of things that are must-tries.

“You should probably try the Jumpstart breakfast sandwich,” Jones said. “We also have lots of plant-based and non-dairy options for people who might be vegan or just can’t have it. I would also try our featured drinks because you can’t really go wrong with those, or our seasonal items we try to do around different holidays and seasons.”

Trying a local shop is never a bad route to go. You might just find your new favorite coffee place.