Johan Sebastian Bach wrote an opera about how addictive it is.  Teddy Roosevelt was said to consumed over a gallon a day of it, and the first webcam invented had the sole purpose of keeping an office posted on the status of it.  Coffee has been around since the 9^th century, discovered accidentally after a shepherd noticed how hyperactive his goats were after eating the beans.  It’s come a long way since then, now a staple to our morning routines, our business meetings, and our all-nighters in college.

 

Coffee, however, has never been served quite the way it is at Joe N’ Throw, located on Adams Street in Fairmont. The concept was created by Coffee Roaster Bob Layne and Potter Michael Ray and the facility opened its doors in 2014 offering a place where patrons could enjoy a good cup of ‘joe’ while also having the option of creating the mug in which it was served.

 

After 2005 Bridgeport High School Alum James Kane made daily visits to the place, they began to realize his expertise, as a manager 

was just what they needed to make the coffee shop/pottery into a success.  Now, with part ownership in Joe N’ Throw, Kane manages daily operations and continually comes up with creative ways to keep customers coming back for more.

 

It offers a unique, cozy atmosphere, with no interior windows and the walls lined with pottery.  Plenty of regulars make it their second home and that’s just the way Kane likes it.

 

“The community has developed around the shop,” he said. “New friendships have formed here and there’s a sense of community that gives customers a level of comfort they don’t find in chain coffee stores.”

 

In addition to partnering with a coffee roaster just one block away, they also offer a wide selection of craft beer and an extensive menu.  Live music and other events take place regularly, adding to the atmosphere created by the small town model. 

 

Sharing a space with West Fork Pottery allows guests to create their own one-of-a-kind pottery while on site.  “They offer all kinds of classes, including date night specials and parties,” said Kane.

It was Kane’s entrepreneurship background while at Bridgeport High School that allowed him to explore this career opportunity.  While attending BHS, his entrepreneurship class opened a one-night coffee house in the Benedum Civic Center, complete with live music and food.  That experience, combined with practical skills he learned in Boy Scouts, strengthened his abilities when dealing with staff and customers.

 

Under Kane’s management, Joe N’ Throw is exploring expansion options, focusing on areas where they can help downtown areas thrive.  “We really value the small town business model which has worked so well for us in Fairmont and hope to take that same atmosphere to additional locations in the future while preserving the unique aspects of Joe N’ Throw,” he said.