Philadelphia, PA — Center City
There’s something special about fall mornings in Philadelphia - the kind that feel crisp enough to make you reach for a warm cup of coffee and crave something freshly baked. On one such recent Saturday, the comforting aroma of roasted beans and sourdough filled the air at Greenstreet Coffee Company in Center City, where locals gathered for a cozy pop-up featuring Brass Monkey Bread Co. and Sugartown Smoked Specialties.
The Collaboration
At the heart of it all was Zach Posnan, owner and operator of Brass Monkey Bread Co., a micro sourdough bakery based in South Philly. Known for his hand-shaped bagels, doughnuts, loaves of bread, chocolate babkas, and imaginative schmears, Zach has built a loyal following by hosting weekly pop-ups across the city.
For this event, Zach teamed up with Sugartown Smoked Specialties, a West Chester, PA-based purveyor of smoked seafood. He used several Sugartown favorites to craft one-of-a-kind schmear flavors for his pop-up menu, pairing chewy, sesame-studded bagels and unique spreads with Sugartown’s Nova Style Smoked Salmon and Smoked Roasted Arctic Char. It was a match made in culinary heaven!
“The Nova was buttery and perfectly sliced,” Zach shared. “And the Arctic Char had this rich flavor that didn’t need anything fancy - just a little mayonnaise and red onion, and it’s perfect.”
Guests couldn’t get enough of the pairings, from classic combinations to more adventurous creations like a curry bagel topped with roasted red grape and thyme schmear. “That schmear started as a side dish I made with brussels sprouts,” Zach explained. “I loved the flavor so much, I turned it into a spread.”
The Host: Greenstreet Coffee Company
Greenstreet Coffee Co.’s cozy shop is the perfect place to get your day started, and this particular Sunday was no exception. We were grateful for the scent of brewing coffee, the chatter of customers, beautiful baked goods on display … and for the warm welcome from Greenstreet’s owner, Chris Molieri, who was an excellent host and opened his space for Zach to sell his sourdough products onsite to coffee customers.
Chris has been roasting coffee in small batches since starting the business in his mother’s kitchen. Now, his team roasts three days a week on a Dietrich 25-kilo roaster, producing specialty, organic, and fair-trade coffees that supply restaurants, catering companies, and neighborhood cafés across the city.
Inside the shop, the vibe was exactly what Chris envisioned - neighbors chatting at the counter, students working at the window, and the hum of espresso machines blending with laughter. “We’ve always wanted to be a place where the community can come together,” he said. “It started small - just my brother and I - and we’ve grown because people in Philly really love supporting local.”
The Flavors of Philly: Connection and Craft
This event was more than just good coffee and great bagels - it was a celebration of craft, connection, and local flavor. From Sugartown’s buttery smoked salmon to Brass Monkey’s creative schmears and Greenstreet’s perfectly roasted coffee, the morning represented what Philly does best: collaboration and community.
As the line stretched to the door, customers left with warm drinks, fresh loaves, and smiles. It was the kind of Saturday that reminds you why local food scenes matter.
What's Next
Brass Monkey Bread Co. continues to pop up around Philadelphia weekly, including an upcoming event at Stump Bella Vista later this month. You can follow along at @brassmonkeybreadco for event updates and sneak peeks of new flavors as Zach builds toward his dream of a future brick-and-mortar bakery.
Greenstreet Coffee remains a must-visit for anyone who loves great coffee, with beans available in stores across the region, in freshly brewed cups at their Center City café and shipped straight to you.
Together, these Philly makers - from city to county - remind us that good food and great company are always worth showing up for.
Here at Sugartown Smoked Specialties, we’re proud to be part of the vibrant and diverse local food ecosystem of the Philadelphia region. We love working with others - like Brass Monkey Bread and Greenstreet Coffee - who are dedicated to crafting quality food and to finding ways to compliment each other’s work, just like a great cup of coffee compliments a bagel topped with our signature smoked fish.
Luckily, you don’t have to be based in Philly to enjoy our Smoked Specialties! Check out our online shop and order your favorites to be shipped nationwide.