If you’ve ever been to the luxurious Hershey Lodge, you’ll no doubt be familiar with the sweet smells of gourmet coffees, specialty drinks, and pastries drifting through the halls thanks to the Lodge’s Cocoa Beanery Coffee Shop and Cafe. It’s a really nice stop, but unfortunately I can’t say I’m a frequent visitor to the Lodge, even with my season pass to HersheyPark. That being said, I was delighted to learn about the renovation and conversion of a beautiful old farm house adjacent to the Hershey Center for Applied Research and the Hershey College of Medicine for the sole purpose of a stand alone Cocoa Beanery. Not only does the new cafe serve its usual product line of delicious baked goods and specialty drinks, but sandwiches and salads as well, and they are open until 7pm daily! The new location at 1215 Research Boulevard is really a relaxing spot, and the converted farmhouse is absolutely gorgeous inside. Fixtures like hard wood floors and a winding old stairway are combined with contemporary lighting and furniture to produce a really comfortable atmosphere. The prices are pretty typical of a cafe, but the turkey and ham pannini sandwich I ordered was extremely delicious. I recommend stopping by for yourself to see the new renovations, the new Cocoa Beanery Cafe is well worth the visit.

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