Located at 100 Merchant Ave in Mount Joy, Idea Coffee is a charming little shop just 10 to 15 minutes from Elizabethtown College.

Despite the incredible amount of coffee shops lining the streets of Elizabethtown, after being here for four years, I wanted to try a new place. I made the journey to Mount Joy to enjoy a morning beverage with friends. 

Idea Coffee is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays, and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. 

There are two locations, so be careful not to travel all the way to the Mechanicsburg location at 1430 B Market House Lane if you’re in a time crunch. 

They have a wide variety of drinks, all under $7 before add-ons and customizations. If you can get it at a coffee shop, they most likely serve it. While most shops do a classic pumpkin spice for the autumn season, Idea Coffee brought some slight variety to the table with their new pumpkin pancake cold brew. 

The cold brew with maple pancake flavoring, pumpkin syrup and pumpkin cold foam is delectable. The drink is rich and flavorful and, unlike many chain shops, the drink still tastes like coffee. It is not too sweet or too overly-flavored. Honestly, I would return just for this drink. Yet my go-to is an iced matcha latte.

Here, their matcha is smooth and earthy, perfectly balanced sweetness to bitterness. I always add vanilla syrup and occasionally I add cold foam. This is my typical order at most coffee shops if I am not in the mood for coffee. 

Unlike some others, the matcha to milk ratio was perfect. I’ve had matcha that was so overfilled with powder it wouldn’t mix into the milk, creating a sandy, cakey texture struggling through the narrow straw. I’ve also had matcha that was basically just milk. But to quote Goldilocks, “this one is just right.”

Outside of their incredible menu options, the staff is incredibly kind. They are attentive and eager to serve. On my last visit, I witnessed one of the baristas taking the initiative to refill a customer’s drip coffee before he asked. While it is not expected of baristas in a busy shop to go table to table, it was welcoming to see them find the time to make him feel welcome. 

If you are looking for a new study spot, look no further. With indoor seating, free WiFi and unlimited caffeine just steps away, this shop is perfect. It is small, quiet and homey, making cramming for exams and ordering latte after latte easy. 

If you are ever in Mount Joy and need a little pick me up, stop by Idea Coffee and give them a try.