Parks is familiar, welcome face behind the window

MOSES LAKE — Seems like new Java and All That Jazz owner Jennifer Parks is exactly where she belongs.

Even before Parks became the new owner of the coffee stand located at 710 W. Broadway Ave., the business' owners were hoping that she would take over, she said. She worked at the stand, which reopened Oct.16, as an employee before it closed.

"They closed down, and I reopened it," she said succinctly. "I've been doing it since I was in 10th grade, so it's something that I've always known … The people that I used to work for here are just wonderful people, and they really worked with me on getting in here and wanting me to reopen it."

Parks herself has lived in Moses Lake since July 2001, and is the sole Java and All That Jazz employee.

"A lot of the old customers, it's nice to see them again and I think that they are happy to see it reopen," she said. "I look forward to seeing old customers again. It's been really nice seeing (them), and I'm glad to see them coming back."

Several of the coffee stand's patrons concurred.

"She has a passion for coffee," said customer Jenny Treutle, who has been coming to Java and All That Jazz since the day it opened. She said Parks' personality and the good coffee have kept her coming back.

Laureen Robertson said she worked with Parks at the stand in the past.

"She makes good drinks, and I like her," Robertson said. "She's friendly, she's nice. And the drinks taste the same every time, so …"

Parks' boyfriend, Bobby Horst, said he helps out on his days off, and seconded those sentiments.

"A lot of people followed her when [the old owners] closed, and she moved to another stand," Horst said. "It's been fun to see the old customers come in and how excited they are to see that she's here again. And then to find out that it's her stand, they are even more excited."

Java and All That Jazz is open 5:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.