Hendersonville’s Iconic Coffee House gains new owners

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. - March 28, 2014 - PRLog -- “I Googled the best place to live and raise my little girl in the easternUSA and found Hendersonville,” explained Jamie Tanner co-founder of Jongo Java.   “In 2004 I moved here with my daughter from California.  I worked in another local coffee house and that’s where I met Dan.”

“Jamie saw a need for a gathering place.  A location or home for the community to come together and interact; in other cultures that is what a coffee house is.  They’re a community's second home, a place where you relax, laugh, joke, meet, and basically socialize with each other.   In other words home.  Serving great coffee is the icing on the cake.  It’s the excuse to come out – but it’s the family atmosphere that has you stay and keep coming back,” commented Dan Smith co-founder of Jongo Java.

Dan’s passion as an artist coupled with Jamie’s passion for the community and knowledge and love of coffee, created the vision that became our very own Jongo Java.

The name Jongo Java, was chosen to bring together the key elements of Jamie and Dan’s vision.   The Jongo- part dance and part spirit religion ritual- is a legacy of the African slaves who worked in the coffee fields in the state of Rio de Janeiro. UNESCO calls jongo part of Brazil's "intangible culture.  ‘Jongo’ has come to mean ‘celebration’ and is not only a dance but a festival held on May 13^th in Rio de Janeiro and ‘java’ has become another name for coffee.  So Jongo Java – or a celebration with coffee was born.   Jongo Java opened its doors January 2010 and has successfully grown year after year.

Fast forward four momentous years, Jamie and Dan are excited to pass the torch over to Paul Schiro and Tim Culberson, the new owners who have the same passion, vision and love of Jongo Java that they do.  “It’s important to us, that our ‘baby’ would be cared for and nurtured by someone who have the same love of community and understands the role that Jongo Java has.   Paul and Tim are the right guys.  We could never have handed Jongo over to anyone else.”

“Jongo Java is way more than just coffee”, stated Dan.  “We have bands come from all over to play here and every Friday morning, local radio station WTZQ AM 1600 broadcasts live from here.”

Jongo Java as a true community house has delivered coffee to sick patrons, given birth to Peppermint OS (a linux operating system), GalTech/Titan Pro drumsticks as well as several books.

Paul and Tim, both single dad’s with two girls each, got to know each other at Jongo Java.  “It seems crazy but over the last few years we have spent a lot of time here.  Our girls love Jongo, and it has become our second home”, commented Tim.

Tim is a WNC native, is the owner of Aerial Photo Professionals and is active as a tuba player with the Hendersonville Community Band.  “Paul and I had often considered what type of business we could own and operate that would serve the community.  When we heard that Jamie and Dan were considering selling Jongo, we knew this was for us.”

“Jongo has personified community, and I knew that when it became available, I had to become a part of this,” explained Paul.  “I’m excited, this doesn’t feel like a business venture, for me it’s a calling, my calling and Jongo is family.”  Paul a New Orleans native, is also a medical sales rep, is no stranger to the public.  He has performed improv comedy, worked at the original Senor Frog in Cancun as well as being a member of the Hendersonville Little Theatre.

Tim and Paul, officially take over Jongo Java on April 1^st.  “It will be a great celebration (we don't plan to have a big “Grand Opening” or celebrate the transition.  This is because we want it to be seemless and not to feel like we are celebrating Dan and Jaime leaving.  We are planning to have a “We made it through the first month” party on May 1.)  and we’re both excited,” commented Paul.  For the last month, Paul and Tim have been working alongside Jamie, Dan and the rest of the crew becoming familiar with every aspect of the business.  “It will be a smooth transition and Dan will be around to help out and provide guidance as needed,” added Tim.  “The entire team is unchanged as well.”

Everyone is invited to come out and welcome Tim and Paul on Tuesday April 1^st.  If you have never visited Jongo Java, then you are missing out.  Oh, and for all the locals – the fish is staying, along with the artwork.

Come and visit Jongo Java, its way more than just coffee, its family!”

About Jongo Java

Jongo Java is Hendersonville's FIRST environmentally responsible coffee house. Jongo offers Gourmet, fair trade, naturally grown Coffee & espresso. We offer organic dairy for our lattes. and craft Organic Stoneyfield yogurt and real fruit smoothies, plus breakfast and lunch served all day. Many fresh things are coming out of our kitchen daily, so give us visit we'd love to see you!

Jongo sources as much local produce as possible, from fresh fruit when in season to products such as Joey’s Bagels.  Jongo uses compostable hot and cold cups and lids, donates coffee grounds to local gardens, recycles and cares about our community.  Jongo is open Monday thru Friday from 7am to 7pm, Saturday 8am to 7pm and Sunday 9am to 4pm.  They’re located at 117 South Main Street, Hendersonville, NC.   For more information please visit www.jongojava.com

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