By Jake Bachman –

Feet dragging.  Students yawning.  The slow start to students’ days has been prevalent since the beginning of the school year.  The answer to these slow mornings could simply lie in the location of the new school, or better yet, the lack of Fluvanna’s favorite coffee shop, Cuppa Joe, in the vicinity.

However, there is good news on the horizon for coffee lovers.  The middle of May will mark a renaissance for the Key West-style coffee shop as they will be moving their location to Lake Monticello.

“We’re just trying to make a place where you can get away from it all.  Just a place to come in and hang out and chill,” said store owner Cliff Bunyea

“It’ll definitely be an excellent move that is sure to bring in more profits,” said senior Jordan Thacker.  Kids will no longer have to go out of their way in the mornings to get some tea or coffee and a pastry for breakfast.

Teachers and students alike have both been missing runs to Cuppa Joe before school.  “The move to the new school is what hurt my patronage to Cuppa Joe,” said Mitchell Pace, a teacher at FCHS, “I’m not a coffee drinker but I’m a huge fan of the tea.  They have great tea for a good price.”

Along with the new location, Cuppa Joe’s menu will be featuring several new items. “We’re going to start serving ice cream, of course your generic flavors and then even some exotic ones,” said Bunyea.  The store will also be introducing a new espresso machine, pastries, and even cheesecake.

Not everyone is excited for the new move, however, particularly those from the southern portion of the county.  One of the people concerned with the move is junior Emily Lesuer.  “Honestly, I’m kind of sad about the move.  Cuppa Joe is no longer on my way to school.”

The new move will also give Cuppa Joe the opportunity to make more of a profit during the months when school is not in session.  “I can’t wait to head to the Lake with a nice cold sweet tea and have something to drink while I’m relaxing on the beach,” said junior Antonia Wilson.

It is clear that the coffee shop is trying to cater to teenagers in the population, though it has items that people of all ages enjoy.  Bunyea is planning on having the back of the store sectioned off for the shops teen room. “We’re going to eventually get a widescreen television and maybe every now and then have a movie night,” said Bunyea.

“When I first took over the business I didn’t want to deal with the kids.  I was a teenager once; I know how some can act.  Well anyways, the kids that come in are probably the nicest thing yet.  It’s the kids that keep me going,” said Bunyea, “Without them the shop is not the same.”