In October of 2002, during a job interview for an engineering management position, I was advised not to smile so much. In that instant, I knew that I wanted a career where a smile would be an asset rather than a liability, and that revelation sparked my idea for Javalina's Coffee and Friends. I set out on a journey to learn everything I could about specialty coffee and the coffee shop business.

Bonnie Vining, Javalinas owner

Javalina's opened in December of 2003, and has been helping to inspire a sense of community on the southeast side of Tucson ever since. Beyond just a coffee shop, Javalina's has evolved into an eclectic community center where:

• people stop on their way to work to enjoy their morning coffee and check their email or read the morning paper.
• bicyclists meet up before and after their rides.
• employees of the nearby U of A Science and Technology Park pick up their favorite drinks after enjoying lunch at Cafe Bonita, Grandma Tony's Pizza, Subway, Chinese Combo, or Sa-Ing Thai Restaurant.
• artists come to draw while enjoying a latte.
• employees of nearby businesses come to enjoy coffee breaks.
• real estate agents and other business people meet their clients.
• Pima Community College students and local high school students gather for study groups or to enjoy a Jet Tea or milk shake after school.
• friends and neighbors hang out in a comfortable setting to enjoy Tucson's best live music.
• local pastors hold bible studies.
• sports fans meet up after baseball, basketball, and soccer games.
• singles as well as parents needing a night out bring their dates to enjoy a mocha and a piece of cheesecake.
• southeast side business leaders meet and network at our monthly business night out.
• people come to use our wireless internet.
• people of all ages stop by to enjoy our southwestern ambience or take out a cup of coffee, a caramel latte, a mocharita, or any of our other non-alcoholic beverages