Fabulous Spaces

LORENABENIQUEZ/West Branch Life

This historically rich Victorian QueenAnne in Williamsport is now home to the Backhouse Cafe Coffee and Tea, a cozy and welcoming place.

By LORENA BENIQUEZ West Branch Life

Before Ron Wright could open his new cafe, he needed a space that was relaxed and roomy enough for customers. He and co-owners, June Wright and Melanie Huggins (his wife and daughter, respectively), began the process of finding the perfect space to open the Backhouse Cafe Coffee and Tea in Williamsport. After touring the Victorian Queen Anne at 901 West 4th Street in 2015, they walked away initially.

“The price at that time was out of our range. It just wasn’t feasible, ” says Ron. Fast forward a year later. After looking at six other properties, June decided to give the Victorian Queen Anne another look after the home’s price dropped.

“We wanted to create a homey space. This had all that to offer and then some. It was well kept and the layout and look of the place was everything we wanted and more, ” says Ron.

The home had been a bed and breakfast and home to the Thomas T. Taber Museum’s Women of the 1800s Museum.

LORENABENIQUEZ/West Branch Life

Above,customersenjoyholidaydecorandrelaxingatmosphere athecafe. At left, husband and wife, Ron and June Wright, are co-owner of the cafe with their daughter, Melanie Huggins.

“We always give full disclosure that we did none of [the remodeling]. The walls, floors and light fixtures were all done by the museum, ” says Ron.

Today, it is a flourishing cafe, where the home itself acts as a host.

“Customers say it is relaxing, ” notes Ron.

Despite its grandness, the space exudes warmth. The mahogany walls, cozy decor, fireplaces and wainscoting invite guests to linger longer with Backhouse’s caffeinated creations and baked goods.

Ron’s favorite space is the parlor, which overlooks the lawn, with its red umbrellas atop tables.

“I love the rich darkness of the mahogany and how the wood was tooled, ” says the co-owner, who often relaxes there with June after the cafe’s doors are closed for the night.

Architect Amos Wagner designed the house built in 1890 for Henry Johnson, a Pennsylvanian state senator. Wagner was prolific in building Williamsport landmarks that include the Hart Building and St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Parish, to name a couple. Wagner was fastidious about detail in the cafe. From the fanlight transom, generously sized crown molding and the oak staircase, the architect stayed true to the Victorians’ penchant for lavishness. Ron points out the structure’s intricacies, “The wainscoting has a common element that runs through the whole house. It’s not the same everywhere. In the tearoom, there are checkered patterns but in the parlor there are checkered patterns and Greek key designs. ” The cafe’s architectural jewels shine that much brighter when festooned with holiday decor. Lighted garland winds down the staircase and adorns two fireplaces, giving the space a cozy and festive atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to relax away from the whirlwind of holiday events with a peppermint hot chocolate, maple spice supremo latte' or a pumpkin scone.