JavaPrimo is a welcome addition to downtown Arkadelphia with many choices on the menu and a lively, coffeehouse atmosphere.
After opening last month, the café is often full throughout the day, an exciting sign for owners Josh and Shelley Hughes. Their motto, “amazing coffee is just the beginning,” has become the center of the business.
After just a few weeks of business, the Hughes are already excited to see the future of the business.
The Hughes, both raised in Bismarck, always had the dream of owning a restaurant. Josh, a 1997 Ouachita graduate, studied history and math education.
“Ouachita gave me a degree so that I could get a job teaching and that’s what made it possible to open a business,” Josh said.
Shelley, a 1998 Ouachita graduate, studied accounting and computer science. After working as a CPA, she has the skills to manage the financial and technical aspects of JavaPrimo.
“I wouldn’t trade my time at Ouachita or the people I met for anything,” Shelley said.
The Hughes opened the first branch of JavaPrimo in Hot Springs in January 2009. At first, the café only served coffee, but later developed signature food items. All the food, created by Josh Hughes, is original and made in the café.
“Josh always loved cooking, and he’s great at it. It just made sense to make our own menu,” Shelly commented.
The couple designed the restaurant after an Italian bistro. Knowing they wanted to make it clear that coffee was the first priority, they settled on the name “JavaPrimo” — the best coffee.
“We aren’t a coffeehouse,” Josh Hughes said. “We’re a restaurant that happens to have amazing coffee.”
The restaurant is not a faith-based business, but the Hughes both agree that having faith is vital in opening a restaurant.
“We have faith and we teach people integrity. If someone comes in, we will treat him right. You have to have faith to act like that day in and day out,” Josh said.
JavaPrimo’s fan-favorite drinks include white mocha latte, cream smoothies and over 30 flavors to add in any coffee. Popular items on the menu include the turkey panini, water pine chicken salad and brick oven pizzas.
The café serves a wide variety with everything from wraps and sandwiches to ahi tuna and French-cut ribeye.
There are more than 30 employees between the two branches of JavaPrimo, with more positions currently available.
“It’s not easy, but I love working here. You’re never bored,” said Libby Harrington, Ouachita senior and JavaPrimo employee.
The Hughes are already considering expanding the business further.
“We never opened the first store thinking it would be the only one. We have always wanted to open more,” she said.
When asked about future locations, both agreed, “Who knows where the next place will be. When the opportunity arises, we’ll take it.”
The Hughes are assured that the demand for a restaurant like JavaPrimo is very high because the café is constantly filled with customers. They strive to create a unique atmosphere that fosters relationships between the residents and college students of Arkadelphia.
“It’s awesome to see the community mix with the college students,” Shelley said. “It’s like we’re one big happy family.” Josh added, “We want everyone who comes in to feel welcome, like the show “Cheers”—A place where people know your name.”
JavaPrimo is located at 614 Main St., between Smithzonian and Print Mania. For more information, call 870.230.1337.
Photo by Kristen Barnard.
