Penn Street Café: This restaurant in York offers brunch, coffee, sandwiches and more

While the unsightly and ongoing construction outside North Penn Street might be a deterrent, Penn Street Café entices you to stay a while.

Paintings adorn the walls, and vines of greenery hang from the windowsill. The TVs play news and film behind the counter across from several high-top tables and counter seating. Small in size, the café delivers in comfort and is made for guests to feel "welcome and at home."

Last year, the former Custom Subs shop at 18 North Penn St. was purchased and renovated into what is now a quaint café serving light breakfast and brunch made fresh, as well as coffee, tea and smoothies.

The shop opened for business in January this year and is coming up on its first year in business.

Penn Street Café: Brunch fare made fresh

While owning a business was not initially a dream of hers, Veronica Sinclair-Anderson saw an opportunity and reached for it.

She grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and recalled walking to her mother's variety store with her siblings while on their way home from school. Her father worked for the parks department.

Previously employed by the liquor control board, Sinclair retired early to take care of her late mother, through whom she said she channeled her entrepreneurial spirit.

Several years ago, while cleaning her mother's estate, she found the original lease from her mother's store − a significant moment for Sinclair and her family.

"I believe that everything is meant to be," she said. "It was very significant to find that and to still have it in our family, and even pass it on − now we have a cafe for this generation."

Her family moved to York County 18 years ago from Baltimore, seeking a change of pace to start their lives in quieter area.

When the building became vacant, Sinclair saw an opportunity to establish her first entrepreneurial venture.

"Our big thing is we make everything fresh. Even though we're small, and don't have all the equipment, you can still make fresh food," Sinclair said.

Penn Street Café offers fresh fruit smoothies, a variety of muffins and croissants. Breakfast platters, waffles, sandwiches, grits and omelets are freshly made to order. For lunch, the menu consists of burgers, wings and hero sandwiches made with cheese, veggies and meat, sliced fresh.

For more information about Penn Street Café, check them out on Facebook .

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Penn Street Café: This restaurant in York offers brunch, coffee, sandwiches and more