Abe's Market acquired by Direct Eats

JAVA & Co. has been a seller on Abe's Market for a very long time.  We just received this email from Abe's Market:

"Dear Seller,

We are excited to inform you that Abe's Market has been acquired by Direct Eats. When visiting AbesMarket.com you will now be automatically redirected to DirectEats.com.

Working closely with Abe's Sellers like you has been the most rewarding part of our 6-year journey. Thank you! A few tactical notes:

Effective immediately we are redirecting AbesMarket traffic to Direct Eats..."

While it seemed that some things were changing at Abe's Market, the news is sudden and abrupt.  We have reached out to Direct Eats for information to possibly showcase handpicked items from our collection.  From what I can tell Direct Eats has a pantry format, and they prefer to have products listed in quantity packs vs. individual.  This doesn't work well for our popular gift crate items, so we shall see how it all comes out in the wash, so to speak.

We had a good, strong run at Abe's Market.  Not only did we sell our products on that platform, but I was a dedicated buyer as well.  Loved their format, customer service, ease of use and well balanced website.  Disappointed that their journey came to an end.

Now that they are closed, you will find that those who sold on Abe's Market are not automatically available on Direct Eats just yet.  Each producer must start from the beginning.  My suggestion?  Order direct.  The entire JAVA & Co. Collection of products can be found and purchased direct at www.javaandco.com.  I hope our regulars do not get lost in the transition.  We'll work hard to see if Direct Eats is a good fit for us and our customers.  Until then, we have a couple of sales running on our website - check it out! 

Me? I'm grabbing another cup of coffee.

Jamie

The Sun will be Setting on the OpenSky Storefront

OpenSky.  OpenSky.  OpenSky.   (sigh)

OpenSky launched a couple of years ago as an exciting new platform for small batch business and artisans.  They combined social media, customer interaction and shopping in a new environment.  A fun way to virtually showcase products with real time customer feedback and secret shoppers. 

JAVA & Co. was excited to join them with a sampling of our collection and reach new customers.  Shortly after launching, we had industry insiders commenting and loving our products to include Alicia Silverstone.  We were jazzed!  We were loving the concept, the excitement and the virtual credits they offered customers at different times of the year.  I didn't hesitate to open a customer account and shop direct with talented merchants.

And then something changed...

OpenSky has eliminated the customer feed; eliminated the industry insiders; eliminated the creativity and eliminated the interaction.  They replaced these elements with advertising banners and distracting call outs on every page to include our storefront.  This is not the same OpenSky.

JAVA & Co. will be begin to remove our products from OpenSky and eventually close the storefront by months end. 

This is JAVA & Co.'s last call on OpenSky.

Jamie Knoll

JAVA & Co.
Small Batch Recipes
www.javaandco.com

Note:  JAVA & Co.'s full product line is available on our company website javaandco.com with hand picked selections on Amazon.com, Abesmarket.com and Etsy.com.

Caramels...Caramels...Oh How I Love Thee

FUN FACTS about JAVA & Co.'s Artisan Caramels.

1) The production time for each batch is 4 to 5 hours, not including packaging and labeling.

2) Caramels take longer to produce in the warmer months - longer to cook and longer to cool.

3) Each batch is stirred entirely by hand for the duration of the cooking time.

4) Only one batch recipe can be made at any one time. 

5) Each caramel is cut by hand - no machines.

6) No two caramel pieces are the same size.

7) Each individual piece of caramel is hand wrapped in a biodegradable clear 4 x 4 inch sheet.

8) JAVA & Co. makes caramels in four recipes.

• Original:  Traditional caramel. 
• Vanilla Chai:  Made with real vanilla beans, fresh ground nutmeg and cinnamon.
• TiRUMisu:  Made with dark Jamaican rum and dusted with unsweetened cocoa.
• Spicy Habanero:  Made with habanero peppers locally sourced from an Illinois farm that raises all crops chemical and pesticide free and sells at the local farm markets. 

9) Caramels are packaged and sold by weight vs. by the number of pieces.  Because all caramels are cut by hand (see #5 & #6), this evens the playing field and everyone gets the same weight by quarter pound, three quarter pound or by the pound.  Piece count will vary, but the weight is constant.

10) Due to their popularity, they are available and made year round.  Caramels are not just for fall anymore...gifts, Super Bowl parties, birthdays, office parties, caramel popcorn...

Stop by our website and check them out!

Jamie Knoll
JAVA & Co.
Small Batch Recipes
www.javaandco.com

Snowed-in JAVA & Co. Online Sale!

EXPO-that-we-are-unable-to-attend-due-to-an-approaching-winter-storm-and-travel-so-we're-maintaining-a-positive-attitude-and-having-an-online-SALE-instead #soontobeburiedinsnow

Due to another anticipated winter storm (they are now saying TWO winter storms this weekend) scheduled from Friday through Sunday (expo weekend), JAVA & Co. has made the difficult decision NOT to attend this weekend's Illinois Products Expo 2014 in Springfield, Illinois. We are very disappointed and look forward to this event every year.

Brian and I wanted to offer a website promotion - especially for all of our wonderful customers that come out and see us this weekend - each and every year. We will miss you seeing you again. If you must drive this weekend, please be safe!

From today through Sunday, March 2nd - Use Promo Code EXPO14 to save online at www.javaandco.com.

For a limited time save 20% off of your qualifying retail purchase made online at www.javaandco.com. Use promo code EXPO14 at checkout. Share the promo code and pray for spring!

Brian and Jamie Knoll
Owners & Founders

Offer Details: No Cash Value. Not Valid on Prior Purchases. Valid on In-stock Items Only. May Not be Combined with Other Discounts.