Coffee talk with Janet Woods-Jackson

Coffee has long been a staple for the working American, the studious collegian and many others. With the arrival of winter, a hot cup of joe can be soothing to the soul. Broadway Books and Roasting Co. is one of several locally owned coffee shops in Cape Girardeau. Open since 2006, the business, 605 Broadway, is in a three-story Victorian home built in 1878. Southeast Missourian business reporter Brian Blackwell sat down with owner Janet Woods-Jackson to discuss the industry and the woman behind the business. The Patterson, Mo., native said coffee is a part of her life. Woods-Jackson graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in the 1970s. She and her husband at the time, Michael Woods, had two children, Eric and Jennifer. In 2002, Michael Woods lost a battle with cancer and that eventually led Woods-Jackson to start her coffee shop.

Q: Tell me about your start in the coffee business.

A: When my husband passed away it was the worst thing in my whole life. The crisis made me strong. He fought the disease for 16 years, so he lived through a lot of rough times. As a result, it made me stronger as an individual.

When he died in 2002, it left me as a widow at 50 and looking for a big change. I had always loved downtown and spent some time searching for a property that would fit my goals. My husband, Michael [Jackson], that I married one-and-a-half years ago, has been so supportive of my business.

Q: What do you do in your free time?

A: I like most music. I was raised on bluegrass music, as my dad played that style of music a lot. That's one reason we have open mic nights on Fridays ... because I love music and have a lot of aspiring musicians and poets.

I also enjoy visiting children and nature. Plus, I like a good book when I have time for one. The person who used to be my business partner loved reading and that sets the tone for what we want here. We want to be a place where people can come and relax. Books and coffee go together.

Most of our books are donated, though we used to buy them.

Q: If you could do anything else beside running the coffee shop, what would it be?

A: Until June last year I was a trainer in early childhood at Southeast Missouri State University. When I decide not to do this anymore I'd like to return to that field.

Q: How has Broadway changed since you were in school?

A: When I went to Southeast Missouri State in the '70s, Broadway was thriving. A lot of businesses catered to university students. We had two movie theaters, clothing stores, pizza places, a place to buy your records and places to buy what you needed for your dorm room or apartment. You had everything you needed downtown. Broadway was a place to hang out. Everyone walked and now they drive everywhere. Students today don't have a great interest in buying antiques. For SEMO students they like vintage clothes. It's just not like it used to be.

I'm just hanging on by my fingernails. Downtown is so beautiful and I'm waiting for it to open up. By us sticking it out and showing others that we can be unique, we'll make it. But we have to work really hard and hang on during this time and we'll make it.

Q: How difficult is it to make it as a coffee shop owner?

A: Economically it's nearly impossible. As far as meeting people's satisfaction, it's high. But it's hard when McDonald's and Rhodes have coffee that's at a good price. To convince people there's a difference between ours and the non-coffee shops is hard. I overcome that through education. I teach customers where coffee beans come from and how we roast our beans. Word of mouth from those customers is important so they'll keep on coming back. I also don't do a lot of advertising because money is an issue.

Q: What are some unique features about your coffee shop?

A: We have community events during the week. We have open mic nights on Fridays, art shows, concerts and meetings for non-profits such as churches, bridge groups, bike clubs and neighborhood groups. I want people to think of downtown as a community. Groups are part of a community and that's what we have in downtown.

We're talking about having a community garden in the back of the coffee shop. It would be run by people in the community and have different kinds of vegetables. The produce would then be donated to the Southeast Missouri Food Bank and other organizations in need of the food. I want to educate people on how to grow food in urban areas. I want to show them it can be done.

Q: Why are coffee shops so popular?

A: There's that connection with people. I'd like to think that they come back here because we have the best coffee but I know it's that community of seeing their friends and neighbors. In today's society, people need connections, as they have them with computers and cell phones. They want to express their opinions and this is another way for them to do so.

Here, we accept all viewpoints. That's evident in the meetings we have throughout the week and the diverse people who come in here. We're a very eclectic kind of shop and most people feel accepted for who they are.

Q: What has changed in your shop since you opened?

A: It's more community-centered. We're now focused on walk-in traffic. We've adjusted to see how we can fit the customer's need in this area.

Q: As we know, Grace Cafe closed last year and Mississippi Mud House has yet to open. What do you see as the future of coffee shops in Cape Girardeau and nationwide?

A: Small businesses will grow in our country because of the economy. Our business has improved instead of going downhill. We and others like us will succeed because we offer that personal connection. Customers know that if they're buying from me, they know they're helping out me and my business survive. I think the chain coffee shops will suffer. In the future all businesses will need to be flexible and adapt to meet the customer's needs. But we've also seen businesses go out. It was sad when Grace Cafe closed because it's not good for downtown. We shared customers and it was a great place for people to meet up, like here.

Q: Is Cape Girardeau too small for the number of coffee shops we have?

A: I'm not sure if there is room for more. The ones here have their own clientele and specific focus. As long as local coffee shops keep that in mind they'll do all right. The more people that know about coffee the better off we'll be in the long run.