New restaurant planned for Westmoreland courthouse

The chow line at the Westmoreland County Courthouse is expected to reopen this fall.

Commissioners on Thursday approved a contract with the owners of Caffe Barista in Greensburg to operate the cafeteria space on the Upper Park level of the courthouse that since 2016 has been a Subway restaurant.

Subway did not renew its contract with the county and closed last month.

“It’s a matter of convenience for employees, visitors and jurors and the fact the county makes a little bit of profit off it is a bonus,” said Commissioner Ted Kopas of the deal with Caffe Barista..

Caffe Barista will pay an 11% commission on its sales and guaranteed a minimum monthly payment to the county of $1,500 under terms of the contract.

Subway paid commissioners a 9% commission of its sales, which through May totaled more than $110,000 since 2016.

“This is something we wanted to do, to expand,” said Caffe Barista owner Lisa Hegedus. The underbidder for the courthouse contract was Cafe Italiano in Jeannette.

The new eatery will operate weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and serve both hot and cold foods throughout the day, including breakfast and lunch items, Hegedus said. Food will be prepared at Caffe Barista’s restaurant that has operated for nearly two decades across the street from the courthouse.

Hegedus said she intends to hire as many as six new employees for the courthouse operation. Renovation of former cafeteria space is expected to begin soon with an opening expected in early November.

“When you walk in, there will be rows of food. We want to have very affordable food. We really want to do a good job because we’re rooted in this community,” Hegedus said.