JAVA JOURNAL W/ ANN J: Sippers Coffeehouse

Guest contribution by Ann Johnson

You are welcomed to Sippers Coffeehouse by three outside umbrella covered tables, and you know the best is yet to come.

You open the door and are welcomed by the rich aroma of coffee and fresh baked goods, getting the feel of coming home. To the right, warm colored tables and chairs; you look farther in the right corner and you see what appears to be an old desk that has been refurbished to a table. What a great idea! Your eyes dart around the room, every space has a diverse and mixed aspect to admire.

While at the order counter, I ordered my Nitro Cold Brew. While casually talking with Stephen, barista and son of owners Marcy and Matt, he asks if I noticed the bar to the left. He tells me that he and his dad made it in one week. It is a marvel – a long, 12 ft. piece of cedar that has been polished and finished to a wonderful sheen hanging on the wall. It is beautiful, worth the visit just to see how the tree had taken on a new life.

Marcy Staley, owner of the coffeeshop, told me how they became Sippers Coffeehouse. Marcy started working at Sippers in 2003 part-time. After passing through a couple of owners’ hands, just 4 years later, they decided they would make it theirs. The rest is history.

Marcy tells me that their customers are a mixed group of professionals, students and retirees. They come to have a refreshing drink, relax, study or work at the tables, just the way she envisioned. She encourages joining someone at a table you may not know, start a conversation and meet a new friend.

It’s difficult to decide if a chocolate chip cookie or blueberry muffin is the treat for breakfast. Marcy and Team makes all the desserts in-house except for the bagels and they are making plans to bake those soon also. The croissants look especially delicious, lightly golden brown and just the right size. The steel oats and yogurt parfait are a breakfast favorite. The chicken salad or tuna sandwich is a great choice for lunch.

The coffee beans are roasted locally by Chris Diedrich, head roaster and owner of Pura Bean Coffee Company. This goes to show how the small businesses in south Jacksonville bond together and help each other. It’s a win-win!

Sippers Coffeehouse anchors the Shoppes at Village Walk on the left corner. Easy in and out with drive-thru. Hours are 7 AM to 7 PM.

Visit Sippers Coffeehouse: 7643 Gate Parkway. Tel: (904) 928-0048

Facebook.com/SippersCoffeehouse/