Specialty coffee with a smile

During her regular travels along Highway 281in Howard County, Sally Berney of Palmer would often get a hankering for a quality cup of coffee and noticed that coffee shops close to the highway were a rarity. One day it occurred to her that opening a coffee shop in that area could be a great business opportunity for someone.

That someone is Sally and her husband Donnie, who opened Java Jane’s in St. Paul in January 2008.

On most mornings customers are treated to the friendly smile of Sally’s daughter Marissa Thompson as they peer into the drive thru window, a smile as warm than the gourmet coffee she serves.

The small building located just off highway 281 near Pro Lube offers a wide variety of specialty drinks including espresso, lattes, cappuccino, chai tea and just your regular cup of joe as well as soft drinks. Customers often request unusual combinations of ingredients. Marissa says that after one customer asked that a shot of vanilla be added to her drink she tried it herself-now she is hooked on it too.

In addition to their selection of drinks Java Jane’s also offers a large lunch menu. Their tuna salad and egg salad croissants started out as an alternative for customers during lent. So many customers kept asking for them after lent that Marissa and Sally have made them part of the regular lunch menu. Also available are ham, turkey and pastrami sandwiches made with fiocciso bread and a variety of deserts.

Holidays seem to bring out some additional creativeness from the Java Jane’s staff. For St. Patrick’s Day customers had the additional opportunity to order a Reuben sandwich. Although Marissa had never made them before, St. Paul residents are still talking about them. (Even the author of this article can attest to the fact that the Reuben’s were wonderful). Decorated cookies were baked for Easter.

Before starting the business neither Sally nor Marissa knew much about the coffee business. Sally bought a book about the coffee trade, gave it to Marissa and said “Read this!” Well read it she did and that combined with trial and error, experimentation and some training from a representative with the company that sold them their Italian made equipment Marissa has developed a tasty product line that has customers coming back daily.

Several exciting developments will take place at Java Jane’s in May. Reminiscent of the soda fountains of the old days, ice cream sodas and other cold treats will soon be available. Outdoor seating will also be added for customers that want to relax and talk with friends and family.

The building where the coffee shop is has housed a pawn shop as well as a tax preparation business in the past. Marissa helped in the renovation of the building and did the flooring herself. It was a lot of work. Although the business is a drive through only Sally felt it was important for the inside to be decorated nicely since Marissa would be working there each day.

The business is relatively new and more people are finding out about Java Jane’s all the time. Marissa says that almost everyday someone says “I didn’t know you were here, now that I found you I’ll be back!” She says there are a lot of regulars and adds “After you come through once or twice, I’ll probably remember what you like.”

On a recent Saturday morning Tom Dorsch of St. Paul drove through for his morning coffee. Marissa says he is a regular and Tom says “The coffee here is just great.”

The next time you’ve got a hankering for a great cup of coffee stop by Java Jane’s and see Marissa. Whether you want a sugar free skinny, a steamer or just a regular cup of coffee, Marissa will serve it with a smile and if you ask, she can add a shot of vanilla to it too.



Caption 1: Marissa Thomson hands a hot cup of coffee to regular customer Tom Dorsch of St. Paul.

-photo by Alan J. Bartels



Caption2: Sally Berney (L) and her daughter Marissa Thompson (R) serve friendly smiles and gourmet coffees at Java Jane's in St. Paul.

-photo by Alan J. Bartels