Java Joe’s still brewing after 15 years

From left, Java Joe’s owner Mahesh Thapa, manager Kathleen Tolentino, and barista Prativa Pandey. (Bea Cabrera)

Established in 2005, husband-and-wife team Mahesh Thapa and Manju Pandey armed with passion for coffee and excellent entrepreneurial spirit breathed new life to Java Joe’s located in Dan Dan when they took over management in 2007. Now running for 15 years, Java Joe’s doesn’t look like its slowing down catering to a ready-to-drink market.

“My wife and I were born in Nepal… but we have been traveling around the world. I have 20 years of food and beverage experience from Australia and the U.S. mainland and Manju is very passionate about coffee and have always wanted to run a coffee shop,” Thapa said.

“Currently, Java Joe’s has 11 employees, our manager Kathleen Tolentino have been working here since the beginning in 2005 and she is still here…When we moved to Saipan many years ago, we felt that our background in food and beverage will play an important part,” Thapa added.

Java Joe’s serves delicious coffee from real espresso drinks (hot or cold) like vanilla latte, green tea latte, caramel latte, caramel macchiato, mocha, mocha bianca, almond roca mocha, black forest mocha, and favored mocha. They also service cappuccino, cafe latte, cafe au lait, cafe breve, cafe crème, espresso shot, and espresso americano. Other drinks include Java Joe’s chocolate, cremosa, chai tea, and bubble tea.

Popular ice blended drinks with pearls available every day from 7am to 6pm at Java Joe’s. (Bea Cabrera)

“Aside from our coffee, our blended cold drinks are also popular—milkshake, pearl shakes, fruit smoothies, mochaccino, java jelly etc… we have a good menu starting with our daily breakfast special which consists of different kind of omelet, pancakes, French toast, and meals with rice partnered with either bacon, sausage, ham, spam longanissa, beef tapa, and tocino,” Thapa said.

“We also have burgers, soba, grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, tuna sandwich with fries. There are so many food choices to choose from… we always leave room for growth and modify our menu according to what customers like,” Thapa added.

Currently, Java Joe’s is operating on limited time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We had a meeting with family members and employees on what we can do to sustain the business rather than closing down… we believe that we can take better care of our customers if we take good care of our employees during this time and we knew someone has to bring home the bread and butter…so we never closed,” Thapa said.

Java Joe’s is located along Isa Drive in Dan Dan right across the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. main office. (Bea Cabrera)

Thapa continued that their willingness, their passion to go the extra mile is what kept Java Joe’s going. “There is no substitute for hard work… we always think positive, life has its ups, but the more struggle you have, the more stronger you will be… The community loves coming here because we are not selling what we like but what they like….We are not a big company but we enjoy what we do and always move one step ahead.”

Java Joe’s is open from Monday to Sunday, 7am-6pm for take-out only. For more information, call (670) 235-5098 or visit their FaceBook page: Java Joe’s.