Jittery Joe's launches concert series

The cabin-like appearance of Jittery Joe’s roasting plant parallels the store’s affinity for making homegrown, natural goods. Photo by Alex McKelvey/Edited by Jordan Stover

By: Alex McKelvey

Jittery Joe’s roasting plant will be hosting a luau-themed concert this Sunday. The coffee plant has recently decided to integrate some live local music into its tasting room by launching a concert series dubbed “Pickin’ on the Porch.”

Sunday’s concert will feature the local band, Kinky Waikiki, a quartet that meshes traditional Hawaiian music with a dollop of Western swing. To compliment the tropical feel of the upcoming “Pickin’ on the Porch,” Jittery Joe’s will be serving in-house pineapple “spamkabobs” and a homemade apricot beer.

Keith Hendershot, owner of the café section of the roasting plant, is responsible for the birth of Jittery Joe’s “Pickin’ on the Porch.” He borrowed the name from a small coffee shop in Joliet, Ga. Hendershot was impressed with how well the live music enhanced his experience at the coffee shop.

Hendershot recognizes that live music has the potential to disrupt his store’s unique local identity. This is why he is very selective about the bands he books.

“I definitely wanted to do music, but I didn’t want to make this place a full-fledged venue,” Hendershot said. He is careful to maintain a sense of close-knit community and communal relaxation.

This Sunday’s concert is the third installment in the concert series. Other musicians who have performed at “Pickin’ on the Porch” are Vigilantes of Love and Curly Maple with David Blackmon. These ensembles produce relaxed music that compliments Jittery Joe’s atmosphere well.

Kinky Waikiki will do no different. Hendershot booked them because he believes they will enhance customers’ experience at the coffee plant.

When two-year patron, Parker Browne, was asked to describe what he liked about the ambiance of the roasting plant, he said, “It’s an open atmosphere with friendly people. There’s this old-world mentality here; people can barter for coffee with homegrown vegetables.”

Jittery Joe’s old-world, cottage-industry style is embodied in employee Evan Smith’s passion for homegrown products. This Sunday, Jittery Joe’s will be serving in-house “pineapple spamkabobs” and Smith’s apricot homebrew.

“He’s been brewing for about a year, and recently he’s been experimenting with fruit-inspired beers,” coworker and roaster Christian Hampton said. “We’re serving the apricot beer Sunday to compliment the bobs and the tropical theme.”

Sunday’s “Pickin’ on the Porch” is intended to create an atmosphere that reflects the personality of Jittery Joe’s, while providing the customers with quality entertainment.

Edited by Jordan Stover