Bold Coffee with a Caribbean Twist

For any self-respecting coffeehouse, it’s as much about the atmosphere as it is about the coffee.

Cabana umbrellas, Tiki statues and a fake palm tree infuse a tasteful Caribbean, Tiki-bar style into the Lala Java coffeehouse. Reggae, Caribbean and Latino music is the backdrop for the clanking of keyboard keys and soft conversation.

The handful of high top and low top tables weave among shelves of merchandise, providing sound buffers and privacy among patrons. Behind the counter, large signs displaying the numerous food and drink choices hang from the ceiling. Gourmet grilled cheeses (choose your own ingredients), soups and an assortment of sandwiches will complement a cup of Joe to leisurely sip.

LaLa Java also offers a selection of bagels and pastries to satisfy those mid-morning or afternoon cravings. Try the blueberry-banana yogurt muffin – large enough to almost be a meal in itself.

“We opened the Northborough location in 2007. Actually, we opened it on 07/07/07 with seven employees at 7 a.m.,” said Scott Boyers, who owns the coffeehouse with his wife Lala. He originally began his business in southern California, but transitioned the t-shirt shacks into coffee shops once the economy began to plummet. In the late 90s, they sold their California stores and moved east.

Lining the shelves is Boyers’ custom t-shirts mingled with numerous glass jars containing whole coffee beans for sale. Boyers purchases the beans from three independent micro coffee roasters that he oversees – two of which are located in Massachusetts and one in New York.

“The coffee we sell falls under five certifications. We continuously strive to maintain a socially responsible business,” said Boyers. Each bag of coffee is categorized as Fair Trade, Organic, Coffee Kids, Swiss Water Process, or Star-K Kosher. Coffee Kids helps residents in coffee producing regions worldwide improve their quality of life and build more sustainable futures. The Swiss Water Process utilizes a decaffeination process that’s 100 percent free of chemicals.

Lala Java provides free Wi-fi, and has a smattering of outlets scattered throughout the store to keep the computers humming through long work sessions. The coffee house has only around 10 tables, and so is not ideal for large groups. But once spring arrives, there is ample patio seating for patrons to soak up the warm rays.

Store hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Friday 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lala Java is located at 290 West Main Street #12 in Northborough.