As I mentioned in a previous post, we have been busy working on new JAVA sweet shoppe items. And, we have created an incredibly delicious snack bar! The bars aren't currently available on our website (on my Must Do list), but we've been selling them at the markets and festivals. There are three different snack bars offered:
1) Cinnamon Hazelnut Protein - garnished with fresh chopped hazelnuts, contains soy protein for added staying power.
2) Tuxedo Espresso - white AND dark chocolate covered espresso beans are throughout, very creamy - a definite "pick-me-up" bar.
3) Mocha Toffee- dark chocolate coffee infused toffee candy throughout (say that three times fast) - very chocolatey - YUM!!
The snack bars are a combination between a whole grain oat bar and a rice krispy bar. Each of the three contains wholesome whole grain oats, ground flax seed and fresh roasted ground coffee beans - are you tempted yet?
In our past lives (and now our current life), we seldom have time for breakfast and are always looking for a quick fix, or afternoon pick-me-up on the go. These are the perfect solution and now I don't have to worry about dripping on my clothing while drinking my coffee in the car. I can just EAT my coffee and it tastes soooo good. I love that!
Watch our website for the addition of these JAVA snack bars - coming soon.....
-Jamie Knoll
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Fall Festivals
Fall is nearing. The weather is cooling and we are busier than ever. Brian and I are spending our nights making syrup and finding time to experiment with new sweet shoppe recipes. This is an exciting time for our new company.
JAVA & Co. has also signed up for the following festivals:
Riverfront Fall Festival
Every Saturday in October at the Peoria Riverfront from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Located in an adjacent parking lot to our current market. This is the first year for their Fall Festival and we are excited to be a part of it.
Boggio's Fall Market Festival
Saturday and Sunday (September 27th & 28th) beginning at 9:00 am. Located in Granville, Illinois. Featuring indoor and outdoor vendors. Stop by for a festive shopping experience.
Burgoo Festival
Sunday, October 12th beginning at 9:00 am. Located in LaSalle County. This festival continues to grow each year and draws many vendors and crafters. This is a festival not to be missed.
Brian and I will be on hand at each of these festivals showcasing our delicious handmade goodies - perfect for fall - perfect for gift giving. JAVA & Co.'s custom gift crates have been especially popular and have been flying out of our 'syrup cabana' at the riverfront market. Our syrups, kept sealed, have a long shelf-life - so visit one or more of these festivals and make a delicious dent in your holiday shopping.
As always, you can order online at www.javaandco.com. We ship to all 50 states.
Enjoy the season!
Jamie Knoll,
Founder
JAVA & Co. has also signed up for the following festivals:
Riverfront Fall Festival
Every Saturday in October at the Peoria Riverfront from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Located in an adjacent parking lot to our current market. This is the first year for their Fall Festival and we are excited to be a part of it.
Boggio's Fall Market Festival
Saturday and Sunday (September 27th & 28th) beginning at 9:00 am. Located in Granville, Illinois. Featuring indoor and outdoor vendors. Stop by for a festive shopping experience.
Burgoo Festival
Sunday, October 12th beginning at 9:00 am. Located in LaSalle County. This festival continues to grow each year and draws many vendors and crafters. This is a festival not to be missed.
Brian and I will be on hand at each of these festivals showcasing our delicious handmade goodies - perfect for fall - perfect for gift giving. JAVA & Co.'s custom gift crates have been especially popular and have been flying out of our 'syrup cabana' at the riverfront market. Our syrups, kept sealed, have a long shelf-life - so visit one or more of these festivals and make a delicious dent in your holiday shopping.
As always, you can order online at www.javaandco.com. We ship to all 50 states.Enjoy the season!
Jamie Knoll,
Founder
Friday, August 22, 2008
How did JAVA & Co. come about?
How did JAVA & Co. come about?
Who are you?
What is your background?
We've been asked this by many. So, here's the background, the short version on our recent history.
It all began in the fall of 2003...
It is not easy to leave what you know, what is constant, and by society’s terms – what is successful - in order to pursue a dream, and for my husband and I and our two beautiful boxers - a balanced, quality way of life, and then navigating such change during these uncertain economic times.
We did just that. My husband, Brian and I walked away from successful restaurant and hospitality careers in NYC and Las Vegas and moved to a small town of 2,600 people in Illinois to start fresh. We purchased our home online, sight unseen, in a town and state we had never been to, nor did we have any family or friends there, sold our house in Las Vegas, packed up our belongings and moved across country towards a new adventure (in that order). Our family, while excited for us, quite honestly - thought we had lost our minds. And yet, I believe my co-workers understood and were envious of our impulsive and dare I say, risky decision.
Since that move in the fall of 2003, we have lived through tornado sirens, hail, high winds, fallen limbs (this wasn’t in the brochure), snow, snow, ice and more ice, Midwest humidity (yes, the Las Vegas dry heat is easier to deal with - at least for me), relentless mosquitoes, nonexistent local (Henry - sorry guys) fine dining (oh what I would do for pan seared sea bass and wild mushroom risotto), missing dear friends, missing our prior income level, missing our swimming pool during the very warm summers, etc., etc., etc. In fact, short story - when we first moved here, my husband went into the local grocery store and asked if they had Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. A simple request? Uh, no. A voice from the back of the store said, “Where do you think you are?” Yikes, we knew we were in for a change!
And a change we got. During the course of the year of 2003/2004, we remodeled the home we bought (we love it), dramatically improved our health, reduced our stress, maximized emails to keep in touch with dear friends and family, put in a bird bath (it’s not a pool, but we enjoy the beautiful cardinals and robins that stop by) and recently, launched a new business.
If we had to go back to 2003, would we change our path? No. The journey has been incredible, sometimes a struggle, but worthwhile. And now, the local store carries Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, usually just two flavors, but it’s a start! Evidently, we haven’t completely blended into Illinois, because we still get, “You’re not from around here, are you?”
There are many definitions of ‘success’ and it is important for each of us to set our sights on what is going to help us balance and complete our lives. After all, we only get one go at it (life that is). How many times do you hear ‘do what makes you happy and you will be successful’? The statement rings true, but how many people are truly willing to believe in themselves, take the necessary steps and be brave enough to change their path in order to achieve a better version of their life? JAVA & Co. allows us to pair our past work, life experiences and passion for food and blend all of this into our new specialty food venture.
Eat well...live well...
Jamie Knoll,
Founder
JAVA & Co.
Who are you?
What is your background?
We've been asked this by many. So, here's the background, the short version on our recent history.
It all began in the fall of 2003...
It is not easy to leave what you know, what is constant, and by society’s terms – what is successful - in order to pursue a dream, and for my husband and I and our two beautiful boxers - a balanced, quality way of life, and then navigating such change during these uncertain economic times.
We did just that. My husband, Brian and I walked away from successful restaurant and hospitality careers in NYC and Las Vegas and moved to a small town of 2,600 people in Illinois to start fresh. We purchased our home online, sight unseen, in a town and state we had never been to, nor did we have any family or friends there, sold our house in Las Vegas, packed up our belongings and moved across country towards a new adventure (in that order). Our family, while excited for us, quite honestly - thought we had lost our minds. And yet, I believe my co-workers understood and were envious of our impulsive and dare I say, risky decision.
Since that move in the fall of 2003, we have lived through tornado sirens, hail, high winds, fallen limbs (this wasn’t in the brochure), snow, snow, ice and more ice, Midwest humidity (yes, the Las Vegas dry heat is easier to deal with - at least for me), relentless mosquitoes, nonexistent local (Henry - sorry guys) fine dining (oh what I would do for pan seared sea bass and wild mushroom risotto), missing dear friends, missing our prior income level, missing our swimming pool during the very warm summers, etc., etc., etc. In fact, short story - when we first moved here, my husband went into the local grocery store and asked if they had Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. A simple request? Uh, no. A voice from the back of the store said, “Where do you think you are?” Yikes, we knew we were in for a change!
And a change we got. During the course of the year of 2003/2004, we remodeled the home we bought (we love it), dramatically improved our health, reduced our stress, maximized emails to keep in touch with dear friends and family, put in a bird bath (it’s not a pool, but we enjoy the beautiful cardinals and robins that stop by) and recently, launched a new business.
If we had to go back to 2003, would we change our path? No. The journey has been incredible, sometimes a struggle, but worthwhile. And now, the local store carries Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, usually just two flavors, but it’s a start! Evidently, we haven’t completely blended into Illinois, because we still get, “You’re not from around here, are you?”
There are many definitions of ‘success’ and it is important for each of us to set our sights on what is going to help us balance and complete our lives. After all, we only get one go at it (life that is). How many times do you hear ‘do what makes you happy and you will be successful’? The statement rings true, but how many people are truly willing to believe in themselves, take the necessary steps and be brave enough to change their path in order to achieve a better version of their life? JAVA & Co. allows us to pair our past work, life experiences and passion for food and blend all of this into our new specialty food venture.
Eat well...live well...
Jamie Knoll,
Founder
JAVA & Co.
Monday, July 14, 2008
NEW PRODUCTS to come...
Busy summer, never slows, loving being outdoors, could do without the humidity in the midwest (if I'm being honest).
JAVA & Co. may have just launched in the recent months, but we are always busy thinking, dreaming and baking new product ideas. We're onto something new - definitely coffee - definitely delicious. Stay tuned for more information and be on the watch through our website for the newest JAVA specialty...coming soon...
Research and development is one of the best parts of this job!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm..........
JAVA & Co. may have just launched in the recent months, but we are always busy thinking, dreaming and baking new product ideas. We're onto something new - definitely coffee - definitely delicious. Stay tuned for more information and be on the watch through our website for the newest JAVA specialty...coming soon...
Research and development is one of the best parts of this job!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm..........
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)