Java Jive: Evolution into ever-popular ‘third home’

Family, friends and employees, both past and present, gathered recently at Java Jiva to celebrate the downtown coffee shop’s 25th anniversary. Photo contributed by Katy Welch.

MARY LOU MONTGOMERY

Transitioning from Fresh Ayers, which opened in 1994, owned by Steve and Linn Ayers, to today’s Java Jive, owned by their daughter, Katy Welch, has been process.

From the time “Fresh Ayers” first opened its doors at 213 Main Street in 1994, to today when Java Jive occupies storefronts at 209 and 211 North Main, more than 30 years have passed.

“We’ve been in business so long now that people have grown up coming here,” said Katy Welch, second generation owner of the family business. “We’ve had people on their first dates; wedding proposals; we even hosted a small wedding.  Every year people take pictures on the staircase for formal events.”

The customer base is people of all ages, locals and visitors alike. 

It is children who come to the shop with their parents, to enjoy an ice cream treat. “Lots of groups gather here: Bible study groups in the evening, different clubs and organizations. We’re fortunate to have a large dining room; there’s always an open table, just grab a spot, get a drink and meet with your friends or associates.

“We see as many if not more locals as tourists; we hear from lots of people, traveling from Chicago to Kansas City, and we’re their only stop on the way. We see lots of students from the college who will come back years later.”

And then there is a group of regulars who have been gathering at Java Jive since the beginning.

“Our original regular was my grandfather,” Neil Utterback, Welch said. “When he passed, they carved his name in the big gathering table” that serves as a centerpiece in the dining room. “As different regulars passed, we started carving their names into this table, people who have come and gone,” but are not forgotten.

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Java Jive employs 20 team members; half have been with the store for five years; half of those have been with Java Jiva for five years or more.

“A lot of businesses complain they can’t keep employees. We live in modern age where people have more choices. They can deliver for Uber, whatever. If you aren’t making changes as a leader to make a better work environment,” therein lies the problem.

“That is part of our success. Turnover is expensive for a business. We have a minimum 40 hours of paid training time before (new employees) can start working a shift.”

“I read a lot of management books and listen to podcasts. There was a mindset shift several years ago,” people saying they haven’t been supported by leadership. “When we have a problem, I say,  ‘Let’s take a look at it. Were they trained properly? Would they be better if they had someone to guide them, rather than giving up on them?

“Some people are just not cut out for food service, we realize. But if you guide and support new employees, you can mold them into a good strong team. Everyone’s actions affect everyone else. If someone is making mistakes, don’t criticize; help them. Support each other.”

‘A third home’

“For ambiance, our attitude is anything goes. People will have a cool funky couch they are getting rid of, or a set of random chairs most people don’t want in their home, but fit perfect here. We have a lot of bright, fun colors, that goes back to the coffee shop’s roots. Using Dad’s (Steve Ayers) pottery to serve coffee and soup out of. It adds to comfort. It feels like home. It feels like Grandma’s kitchen table, or a comfy couch to sit on.

One of the most popular things she added when Welch took over management of Java Jive was hand-dipped ice cream. “We didn’t have a lot to offer young kids at that time.” She participates in free ice cream programs, and discounts for summer school programs. This encourages young people to come back and hang out at Java Jive during their teenage years.

Brittiney Altiser is general manager. “She is originally from Monroe City, and started work here in high school. Through all of the growth, she has been a huge asset. She helps me fill the gaps. She really oversees day-to-day, and now works with a small team of assistant managers, who assist in various roles, running the food, running the front of the house and helping with staff.”

Homemade treats

Java Jive is nearly as well known for its bakery as it is for its coffee.

“We opened the bakery about 2010ish; we make all of our desserts and cheesecakes from scratch, plus our morning pastries, croutons, salad dressing, soups - they produce a lot of things out of our kitchen.”

Cookies are always popular. “Our oatmeal cookie recipe came from Grandma Carol (Utterback), which came from her grandma.

The peanut butter recipe came from a cookbook Steve Ayers had as a child.

“Some are old family recipes; others we adapted over time as we tried to perfect them. 

The sugar cookies have become a signature product. At first, they used frozen cookie dough. “I bake a lot at home, I thought, why can’t we make them from scratch?” She went on a recipe search, and a trial-and-error baking process before coming up with the right cookie.

Today, the staff decorates the sugar cookies to suit special occasions.

“Honestly, that just kind of started as a whim, to go with whatever the occasion was, such as holidays. (The staff) wanted to go along with Great Girlfriend Weekend, and it has grown from there. It’s a really good sugar cookie recipe, tons of butter, and sugar, soft and chewy. The inspiration comes from events coming up, such as superheroes for Comic Con weekend.”

During the 25th anniversary celebration, “We put coloring pages on the tables and asked kids to design sugar cookies. The bakers have the designs on hand, and will pull a kid cookie drawing out and do that design for a few days.”

Transition

“In about 2009, we separated Java Jive from Fresh Ayers and Pottery; in 2015, the first phase of the buyout began. My husband Casey and I bought the building from my parents 2021.

During the recent 25th-anniversary celebration, former employees were invited to come back for a visit. They took an anniversary photo.

“Lots of people came to town, one lived in St. Louis; one lives in Nashville, they came up for the photo. They all stayed afterwards and hung out.

“We believe we are bringing joy to people’s days. Our responsibility is that all interactions with customers are positive; happiness is a ripple effect. If they come in grumpy, turn that mood around, and that continues throughout the day with everyone they interact with.”

Family

Greta Welch, daughter of Katy and Casey, is a student at Hannibal High School, and has been working at Java Jive since she was 14 or 15. This year she transitioned to the family’s new business, Clemens General Store. Recently Greta was hired as an associate for the Hannibal Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Their son, Caden, 19, is working for his dad full time, at American Glass. In addition, he has taken on the job as after-hours handyman at the family’s stores. “He’s been doing a great job. YouTube puts so much at their fingertips, he can research, find the part, and make repairs. He has really embraced it,” Katy said.