PJ’s Coffee, located on Main Street, opened in Picayune in 2007.
PJ’s stands for Phyllis Jordan,who founded the business in 1978. Her idea was to create unique coffee blends and roast the beans in small batches, according to a poster hanging on the wall in the coffee shop. The poster states that bean buyers hand select their beans from several different countries including Ethiopia, Columbia and Kenya.
Barry Brendergast, owner of Picayune’s PJ’s coffee, also owns the PJ’s located in Slidell, La. on Gause Boulevard, said manager Victoria Brewington.
In May of this year, the coffee shop was given a much-needed makeover. All the flooring was re-done, and all the furniture was replaced, said Brewington.
“It made a huge difference. People will come in to do homework or just have coffee with a friend and we wanted to make it more comfortable,” said Brewington.
The coffee house was only closed for three days during the remodel, said Brewington.
Brewington has been the manager at PJ’s for a year and a half, and her favorite part of the job is interacting with people.
“I love getting to know the customers,” said Brewington.
Even though PJ’s has been in Picayune for more than 7 years, Brewington said the business still gets first time customers.
“People will come in all the time and tell us they have never been here before, a lot of people still don’t know it exists,” said Brewington.
However, Brewington said PJ’s definitely has its fair share of familiar faces.
“We see the same regulars, and they love it when they come in and their drink is already made,” said Brewington.
Brewington said after a customer comes in the first time, there is a good chance they will come back.
“After you come in once, you will more than likely become a regular,” said Brewington.
PJ’s offers a wide variety of coffee, including all the traditional hot coffees, frozen and blended coffees, iced coffees and a selection of specialty coffees. They also have breakfast and lunch menus, which are available all day. The coffee house also offers free Wi-Fi.
PJ’s is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.