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Java D’s: More coffee choices at ‘the little pink shack’
Published 12:00pm Monday, March 19, 2007The Fergus Falls coffee scene has been growing steadily over the past several months and, thanks to the October arrival of Java D’s in the little pink shack on Lincoln Avenue, they now have more choices in coffees, espressos and fruit smoothies.
“I order 95 percent of my beans out of Minneapolis,” owner Deanna Goodman said. “The people there go to the different countries and inspect the beans they purchase. I buy them roasted to order.”
Goodman is also environmentally-conscious.
“Our beans are all organically grown, meaning there’s no pesticides or chemicals added. I use biodegradable cups and my plastic cups are made with corn oil, not petroleum oil.”
Despite the coffee-related name, Java D’s also sells a lot of fruit smoothies.
“They’re my specialty,” she said. “They’re also 100-percent organic. I always get 100-percent organic, if I can, and I also use yogurt for my smoothy base.”
“One drink that’s really taken off is the ‘Mexican.’ A guy from Texas pulled up and ordered one.”
The Mexican wasn’t even on Java D’s menu, but she got the recipe, and it’s become a hot seller.
“It’s really taking off,” she said. “We’re getting to be known for it. It’s got chocolate, caramel, hazelnut and cinnamon. It’s quite tasty.”
Her espresso drinks are gaining notoriety, too.
“We have latte, cafe breves, mochas, all of those,” he said. “Our top seller there is probably the ‘Ultimate Mocha.’ Us women call it the ‘PMS Mocha,’ because it’s got the most chocolate your could stand with the espresso. It’s very rich. We also have Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee beans, which are about $50 a pound. It’s one of the rarest coffee beans in the world.”
Another of the perks her customers enjoy is the little stickers that fit over the drinking hole in the lid, which helps prevent on-the-road spills.
Her sense of customer service comes from a lot of experience.
“I’ve been in the restaurant and bar business for 25 years, and it was always a dream of mine to own my own business,” she said. “Most of my kids are grown now, so it’s time for me to venture out there.”
The reason for the pink siding on the hut?
“It’s for the fruit smoothies,” she said. “I donate 15 cents from every one I sell to help fight breast cancer. We also occasionally set out a jar.”
Business been gradually increasing, since opening.
“Things are what I anticipated it would be,” she said. “I sell hundreds of (beverages) a day. Sunday is actually my best day of the week.”
Java D’s is located at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Oak Street. It is open from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
