Java's Brewin' to Open Third Store

Business growth is not something we have heard in these warm summer months, but one Limerick business is "grinding" its way on to open up a third location. That business is , the local coffee house, which premiered four years ago at its Limerick location.

The third store will join the Limerick location and the alcove in the Pottstown Hospital under the Barretta family. Owners Bob and Lisa will still man the Limerick shop and their daughter Julie will continue her daily routine at the hospital.

Now their other daughter, Amanda will have a chance to take on her own shop at the third location in mid-to-late-September in the Pottstown Farmer's Market - a large warehouse of local meats, seafood and produce that has been open for 40-plus years.

"The new owners, [Elise LeBoutiller and Ben Moscia], are wonderful and they really want to build the place up," Amanda said. "They really want the place to succeed and rebuild the thing."

The market is on the 300-block of High Street and has normal hours of operation from Thursday - Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Amanda said her shop will have to be open during that timeframe on those days; however, since the store has its own entrance on High Street, it can be open on other days. Her plans are potentially Sunday and Mondays to be closed, and an 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. timeframe on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

LeBoutiller and Moscia have been trying to get some new businesses in the warehouse and many businesses have been interested, according to Amanda, but no one wanted to be the first one in. Java's Brewin' became the pioneer.

"We have nothing to lose – we have this store and the hospital location – so we’re expanding, and it’s exciting and cool," she said.

Amanda indicated this location would not carry the typical items found in the Limerick shop, mostly sandwiches with deli meats, because she doesn't want to take away from other businesses in the market and have them take away from her.

The current selection looks as if there will be coffee, muffins, cookies, cupcakes, breakfast sandwiches, tuna salad, chicken salad and egg salad. Everything will be brewed and made on sight, as there will be an oven for baking and pots for brewing.

"Hopefully the aromas will draw everyone in," Amanda said.

The entire market has wireless internet and has tables and chairs to enjoy food and light conversation. Moscia is laying the tile and floorwork and well as doing the painting for the shop. The Barretta's plan on decorating when everything is all said and done.

"It will be an all-year-round place to go away from Giant, Acme and it’s all fresh and local," said Amanda. "It’s going to be the same faces behind the counter every single day."

The market is about a 10 minute drive from the Limerick location and the hospital location is about seven minutes from Limerick.

"I think it’s going to be really cool and a great location – very different from our other two locations," said Amanda. "They’re all so close, but I think they’re going to draw in completely different crowds. Ninety percent of the day, my sister gets questions like is this the only store, or are you by yourself? And she has to tell people we’re also in Limerick. A couple of miles down the road, people might not even know that Limerick is there."

While Amanda is taking courses in psychology and never had a desire to be in the business world, once the family shop opened four years ago, she was always excited at the prospect of running her own.

"I’ve been waiting for it," she said. "I work here seven days a week, and on the weekends, I work here and give my mom a break. If my dad can leave early on the weekends, he does, too. To be able to have my own store is going to be wonderful. Mom and dad said that if they knew they were going to open a shop years ago, they would have had more kids, but too late for that now."

Overall, Amanda is excited at the opportunity to run her own shop, knowing it will be a challenge and a pleasure. Stick with Patch for updates on the grand opening.

"I’m kind of nervous, but I think I can do it," she said.