Chamber Member of the Week: Kahawa Java

November 28, 2022 | 12:08 am

Updated November 27, 2022 | 11:57 am

Kahawa Java | Photo by Ryan Richardson

Ticy and Ayanna Cox opened Kahawa Java this past summer, bringing freshly roasted specialty coffee to Owensboro’s west side. The mother-and-daughter duo have always been coffee enthusiasts, especially enjoying the atmospheres the coffee shops create. 

This passion inspired them to open Kahawa Java under the motto: “The pattern of coffee and conversation.”

In light of recent success, the coffee shop is adding catering and coffee services at weddings and corporate events to its repertoire. They are also adding an open mic night in December. 

“Business has been going well,” Ticy Cox said. “We have many customers come in and say they are so glad coffee is available on the west side of town. We are also having great success with our specialty drinks and baked goods from Souther Secrets Pastries.”

Cox added the latest menu rave is the holiday drinks. 

Kahawa Java comes from their Swahili background, literally translating the name to “Coffee Coffee.” However, their menu isn’t just coffee. It includes teas, matchas, and pastries.

Nashville’s Frothy Monkey sources Kahawa’s coffee, marking their first time distributing in Owensboro. The connection to the coffee comes from Ayanna’s time at Western Kentucky University, when she had the coffee at local stores in Bowling Green.

The space they have at 2601 West Parrish Avenue has room for spoken word, live music performances, and plenty of tables for face-to-face conversation. When they consulted the strip center’s owner, they realized they were also offering something different to that area.

“Talking with the realtor, he said, ‘there’s nothing [like this] over here, nothing at all.’ … So we wanted to bring something to the west side, and it ended up being exactly that,” Ticy said.

As for decorating the business, Ayanna used her photography knowledge to help outfit the store and hopes to include additional works from local artists.

Eventually, they hope to expand beyond the walls of the location. Initially, the two planned for an on-the-road trailer, an idea they will continue entertaining once they establish the brick-and-mortar. 

“We hope to outgrow the space and do amazing to where we can take it to the next place that we go and do our own build, but you never know,” Ayanna said.

For all things Kahawa Java, visit its Facebook page here.

The Chamber Member of the Week program is a membership benefit of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce. Founded in 1913, the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for over a century.

Today, with a membership base of nearly 1,000, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives, serving as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region. 

To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Shelly Nichols, Chamber Vice President, at 270-926-1860 or [email protected].

November 28, 2022 | 12:08 am

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