The start of the new year has brought a refreshing addition to the Butler County Coffee Connection as five coffee shops have joined the program, which now totals 16 member partner stops.

Originally launched in the fall 2021, the Coffee Connection is a self-guided tour of local coffee shops.

People making the connections on this caffeine quest create their own itinerary and fill up their passport with a specially designed symbol from each location.

Once the passport is complete, participants can bring it to Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau at 310 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople, to claim a commemorative prize. Passports can be picked up at participating locations, the tourism bureau or any of the bureau's brochure racks throughout the county.

The original 11 participating locations include: Bloom Cafe at Quality Gardens, Cannella Café, Coffee Brake at Meeder, Coffee Brake in Evans City, Cummings Candy & Coffee in downtown Butler, Cummings Candy & Coffee West, Saxonburg Coffee & Tea, Kairos Coffee Roaster and Tea Co. (coffee truck), Spring & Main Café, The Eatery at American Natural and Wunderbar Coffee & Crepes.

Joining those locations are: Maxine’s Coffee, Pennie’s Bake Shop & Espresso Bar, Rooster’s Coffee Bar, Shepherd’s Coffee Company, and Vintage Coffeehouse.