Fuzzy Monkey sits at the corner across from the post office and is one of the newest additions to Slippery Rock’s Main Street. This coffee shop has an inviting and lively atmosphere. Tall windows allow sunlight to warm the dining area, while a colorful mural painted by Slippery Rock University artists stretches across the back wall, showcasing the business’s mascot: monkeys.
Fuzzy Monkey has a wide variety of different drinks, light bites and specials that range far past the basics. They offer the standard coffee and lattes, but also include a menu of inventive drinks and flavors that are sure to keep customers returning. Seasonal specials and rotating ingredients also keep the menu fresh, giving regulars something new to look forward to each visit.
Fuzzy Monkey began a few years ago as a small stand at local farmers markets, where the owners roasted the outsourced beans themselves, then sold them as retail bags and fresh drip coffee. What started as a modest setup has since grown into much more. In April of 2024, the Fuzzy Monkey coffee shop officially opened its doors and has been growing and thriving ever since. With hopes of expanding soon, Fuzzy Monkey is looking into other locations in nearby boroughs and continuing to strengthen its roots in the Slippery Rock community.
Fuzzy Monkey aims to appeal to all kinds of customers with its diverse menu and welcoming atmosphere.
“We’re trying to reach a little bit of everybody,” manager Miranda Brandon said. “We have so many options, the goal is to try and find something everybody would like.”
Brandon has played a key role in developing Fuzzy Monkey’s specialty menu items, bringing her own creativity to the process.
“I make a lot of the menus,” she said. “I feel that it’s been fun from a creative standpoint, and being able to have that platform is amazing.”
Since joining Fuzzy Monkey, Brandon has been able to experiment with pairing different flavors in ways that feel both surprising and approachable.
“My personal goal here is just trying to get people to try things they maybe otherwise wouldn’t put together,” she explained. “People will say they’re picky eaters or don’t like a certain type of food, but I think many just haven’t discovered how they like that food prepared.”
Brandon’s perspective reflects the experimental spirit behind Fuzzy Monkey’s menu. By encouraging customers to step outside their comfort zones, she not only expands their taste experience, but also reinforces the shop’s reputation for creativity and inclusivity. Her approach shows how the café aims to make specialty coffee and unique flavor pairings accessible to everyone.
At the start of the fall 2025 semester, Fuzzy Monkey was approached by one of Slippery Rock University’s sustainability clubs about a possible donation. The small business happily agreed, creating a special menu that would run for a week, with a percentage of the proceeds benefiting the club.
Brandon, who took charge of designing the menu, explained that she wanted the menu to reflect the theme of sustainability, given where the proceeds were going. For this limited-time menu, she crafted a homemade syrup to complement different drinks and even introduced a blackberry preserve cream cheese. The collaboration not only supported the student organization but also demonstrated Fuzzy Monkey’s willingness to use its platform to uplift local causes.
Fuzzy Monkey has also become a gathering place for the community through its evening events, held every other Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. These nights bring a lively energy to the shop, giving customers a reason to linger long after their morning coffee. The upcoming schedule features a game night on October 2, an open mic on October 16 and a Halloween party on October 30, complete with a specially-themed drink menu.
Outside of special programming, Fuzzy Monkey is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, serving as both a quick stop for coffee on the go and a spot for studying or meeting up with friends. For updates on events, menu changes and other news, customers can follow Fuzzy Monkey on social media or check the business’s website.
