The Philadelphia-based chain Saxbys Coffee will move into the M&T Bank building, 234 E. College Ave., adding to the large number of coffee shops in the downtown State College area.

Director of Franchise Development Brian Whittaker said construction on Saxbys will begin next semester and is set to open Feb. 4.

"We have a few other college locations that have been a success for us," Whittaker said, citing franchise locations near Temple University, Georgetown University, Virginia Commonwealth University and Georgia State University.

Whittaker described Saxbys coffee as a quality between Starbucks' and Dunkin' Donuts' coffee.

"We only use the highest quality of beans," Whittaker said. "We provide a great environment and we get involved in the community where our shops are located."

Whittaker said the arrangement for the State College store will provide an upscale and comfortable environment with a variety of seating arrangements and free wi-fi, but added each store is different from others in the franchise.

"Each one's going to have its own unique things custom to the location," he said.

Whittaker said Saxbys offers a wide variety of beans from Africa, South America, and Hawaii, and offers a free trade variety.

He added Saxbys also carries a full line of pastries.

"We are in the process of rolling out some new products like cookies, a Pinkberry- style yogurt and sandwiches," Whittaker said.

Whittaker said Saxbys will be successful in State College because the franchise provides a comfortable balance, providing the "feel of a neighborhood coffee shop with the consistency of a national chain."

Two existing coffee shops ¾ Webster's Bookstore Café and Metro's Shock Café ¾ are located only blocks away from Saxbys' proposed location.

Elaine Meder-Wilgus, owner of Webster's Bookstore Café, 128 S. Allen St., said she does not consider the number of coffee shops in State College as bad for business.

She added the large number of coffee shops in the area allows students to find their own spaces away from the hustle of campus and the noise of the dorm rooms or apartments.

"We're a culture that needs the 'third places,' " Meder-Wilgus said. "People have home, they have work and they have 'third places.' "

Meder-Wilgus said most of her customers stop by frequently and are people with whom she has a relationship.

"I have been here for nine-and-a-half years," Meder-Wilgus said. "I don't need to have everyone in town be my customer."

Metro employee Amanda Cherkin said each café is different to attract different types of customers.

"I think our coffee's different from everyone else around us," Cherkin said, adding Shock Café's coffee is for people who are looking for coffee with a lot of caffeine.

However, Jeana Spearly, another Metro employee, said there are too many coffee shops.

"They're just everywhere," Spearly said. "You turn a corner, and there's a coffee shop."

Like Webster's customers, Spearly also said she has a supply of regular coffee drinkers.

"We have our regulars that come in here no matter what," Spearly said. "Everyone needs coffee."

Whittaker said there is still money to be made in the coffee industry.

"The coffee industry is very strong," Whittaker said.