Java and More

Bardstown Road has no shortage of coffee shops – Day’s, Quills, Highland Coffee, Starbucks, four Heine Brothers’ – so dipping a spoon into the Highlands scene isn’t for amateurs. But the Java Brewing Company has arrived at 1707 Bardstown Road with its own clientele built in, along with a few new tricks to win over the area’s most territorial cafe society.

 

“We were hoping to open up a new place and we didn’t have one on Bardstown Road,” says Medora Safai, who, with husband Mike, founded the chain 13 years ago and maintains the wholesale roastery under the family name. While most of the eight Java coffee shops are independently owned and operated, the Safais still own a couple, and are helping Bob Crouch to get this one started in its inaugural months. 

 

After the spot on the corner of Bardstown and Murray opened up, the Safais opened it up even more. The building, which had been occupied by Reisert Insurance for decades, also held a Cricket phone outlet before coming available. “It had dropdown ceilings and offices and was like a cave,” Safai says. Despite some reluctance from Mike, Medora’s vision won him over. “We gutted it and started all over,” she says. “We were talking about skylights, and we decided instead to cut into the brick walls and add more light. It’s wonderful now when the sun comes in; it lights up the whole place.”

 

Aside from the light, the dark roasts have some accompaniments not ordinarily seen on “coffeeshop row.” Along with the typical locally made pastries and free Wi-Fi, the Bardstown Road location is introducing Comfy Cow ice cream, plus wine, beer and wine-friendly snacks such as cheese flights. There is also a walk-up window for pedestrians who have dogs, double strollers or other encumbrances that would make entering the shop difficult. “It’s such a Parisian thing to do,” Safai says.

 

Another European innovation at the new Java is the crepe bar, also available at the Prospect shop. “It’s so much fun!” Safai says. “So many people haven’t tried crepes, and it’s fun opening their eyes to Nutella.” Right now, the favorite is egg, ham and cheese, and Safai promises more interesting recipes to follow, including those involving Comfy Cow: “... recipes with espresso and ice cream, crepes and ice cream ...” she muses.

 

As Bardstown Road’s Java Brewing settles in and waits on the wine license, the hours are somewhat in flux, but will expand soon. Presently, it opens at 6:30 a.m. on weekdays and 7:30 a.m. on weekends, and Safai anticipates a midnight closing on weekends, especially in the summer. “It’s our neighborhood,” says the Highlands resident. “We’re going to have a later crowd anyway.” And, no doubt, a crowd will be waiting at the window as the morning sun comes up.

 

Java Brewing Company, at 1707 Bardstown Road, can be reached at (502) 384-3555.