Norristown Coffee Shop Takes 'Pay It Forward' To A New Level

The bell rings at the door of the coffee shop and a man enters, as if called forth. The shop is otherwise empty. The man, tall, bearded, middle-aged, wears thick glasses, an old flannel and worn jeans. His eyes are heavy, he appears tentative.

“They said down the street I could come here for a black coffee?” he asks politely at the shop counter.

“Sure you can,” the girl behind the register says. “No creme or sugar?”

“No thank you,” the man says.

The girl takes a post-it from the wall and sticks it to the register before readying the coffee.

It’s part of Jus’ Java’s ”pay it forward” program, which is putting a kindness to strangers initiative into action.

“Pay it forward. Donate $1.00 for a free coffee for someone less fortunate,” read small postcards on the wall of the Norristown cafe.

Below the postcards on the wall are post-its, some ornately decorated with brief messages on them, each representing a free cup of coffee. When someone that is unable to afford a cup of coffee comes into the shop, they’re able to redeem one of the post-its.

Some simply read “pay it forward” or ”have a cup of joe on me.” Others have designs and red, white, and blue stars. Others have smiley faces.

“Have a drink on me, non-alcoholic of course. God bless.”

“I hope your day is as magical as this cup of coffee will be.”

Jes’ Java is located on Swede Street across the street from the Montgomery County Courthouse. It’s adjacent to the Montgomery County Conflict Resolution Center suite.

“Who sings this song?” the man in the flannel asks on his way out.

“I’m not sure,” the girl says.

“It sounds so beautiful,” he says.