In 1995, Brent and Sarah Patton opened Java Jack’s Coffee House. At their first location on E. College Street, the two of them shared the daunting task of not only running a successful business and building a thriving community but also learning and perfecting the art of roasting coffee- all done under one roof. Brent roasted coffee in their first location for years and eventually, needing more space for their expanding community, moved both the coffee shop and the roaster to their current location on North Street. Customers still remember the smoky smell of the roaster mixed with the dusty burlap of the coffee bags that used to waft through the coffee shop every day, but as the coffee community continued to grow, they realized their business had out grown the space, yet again.
Java Jack’s had become synonymous with the geodesic roof of their building, so rather than finding a larger space, they decided to create a separate roasting business, called Camino Real Coffee Roasters. Not only did this decision give them the necessary space to store, roast and package their expanding list of specialty coffees, but it has allowed them to truly focus their attention to giving their customers the best cup of coffee possible. Brent and Sarah- along with their son and daughter- roast, taste, and study coffee at Camino Real Coffee Roasters everyday, just down the road from Java Jack’s.
Both Brent and Sarah have traveled the world sourcing coffee, meeting farmers and attending conferences to learn all they can about coffee. Through the years, they have learned the importance and benefits of buying directly traded coffees. Camino Real Coffee Roasters focuses on providing the people of Nacogdoches with directly traded microlot coffees.
Creating two separate businesses was a big decision, but has truly opened the doors for growth not only through Java Jack’s but also now through Camino Real Coffee Roasters. It has allowed Brent and Sarah to continue producing the coffee their loyal customers love and rave about, while being able to offer coffees that are rare and are highly sought after in the coffee industry. There is a lot that goes into getting a delicious latte or an incredible cup of drip coffee. For 22 years, Brent and Sarah made coffee their life so that this little corner of East Texas can experience flavors from all over the world and understand the connection that their drink has to the people who dedicate their lives to growing, picking and producing this incredible little bean.
