By: Ari Case 

From pumpkin spice to everything nice, seasonal menus bring holiday cheer to the GS community.  

Greensburg is home to many coffee shops and small businesses that embrace the seasons through special menus and promotional events.  

Of course, chains like Dunkin’ and Starbucks are consistently popularized during the fall and winter for their menu drops as well.  

“I like that they’re something different,” Starbucks enthusiast and band director Mrs. Jaime West said. “It gives you some variety so you’re not always drinking the same thing.” 

The fall menu dropped on Aug. 22 this year, bringing back the coveted pumpkin spice latte and new apple drinks many customers enjoyed. Starbucks made the winter menu available on Nov. 7 and is offering classics like the peppermint mocha alongside new concoctions. 

Mrs. West said her favorite drink so far is the iced gingerbread oatmilk chai, and that she is glad Starbucks is now offering more oat milk-based drinks. 

One of Starbucks’ biggest competitors, Dunkin’, dropped its fall and winter menus Aug. 28 and Nov. 1 respectively.  

Many students enjoy Dunkin’ during the school day, and the special menus have been a consistent hit—from a classic pumpkin spice latte to the returning cookie butter cold brew. 

“I love them!” senior Blanca Grillo said of the seasonal menus. “I couldn’t say how many [drinks] I’ve tried.” 

Although popular chains receive a lot of attention, there are many local options in Greensburg that can be just as buzz-worthy. 

“This seasonal approach is used to provide variety not only for customers, but [for] ourselves, and to create new joyful experiences all year round,” Cutie’s Coffee barista and GS alum Sara Thomas said. “This process is also a great way to bring in new customers and give returning ones something new to look forward to.” 

Cutie’s has special menu items and promotions like themed flights that change year-round. Grillo and junior Quinn Dieter have both enjoyed some seasonal drinks at Cutie’s and spoke highly of their experiences. 

Dieter also enjoys The White Rabbit Cafe and Patisserie, especially their pumpkin spice specials.  

“All of their desserts and coffees are just perfect,” she said. 

Another local spot, The Cattfeinated Cat Cafe, uses seasonal menus as creative expression for its baristas and new experiences for regular customers. 

Photo Courtesy: Taylor Wertz

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The cafe releases a new menu of specials every month and recently introduced seasonal drink flights as well. They also do themed fundraisers to benefit their rescue partner Wayward Whiskers. 

“I think that the seasonal menus are super great because we have customers return to the cafe repeatedly not only to see our cats and kittens, but also they look forward to our new ideas and creations,” barista and GS alum Taylor Wertz said. 

Another local shop, Steep Mountain Tea Company, is partnering with a rescue this holiday season. A portion of proceeds from one of their seasonal special drinks—Carl’s Christmas Chai—will go to the Great Pyrenees Rescue of Western PA.  

Steep Mountain has done seasonal menus for a few years now, and they’re always a hit among customers. 

“They have really good seasonal [menus] that [are] unique to them, and that you wouldn’t find anywhere else,” junior Ty Schlesman expressed. 

Many people enjoy seasonal menus for the holiday spirit they provide, including Steep Mountain co-owner Marcus Weakland. 

“For me, it has nothing to do with the business aspect,” Weakland explained. “My favorite part [of seasonal menus] is the nostalgia of the flavors. It just makes it feel like the holidays.” 

Both Weakland and Thomas expressed thanks to the Greensburg community for giving them the opportunity to share their passions and pursue what they love. 

Seasonal menus are consistently well-received by customers of both chains and local spots, and many, like Dieter, West and Schlesman await them every year. 

“I get really excited when they come out because there’s so many different [drinks] for the season, and there’s always one I love,” Schlesman said.