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| Shane Murphy, owner of Cool Beanz and Java Express |
As owner of Java Express for 23 years, Murphy has had a lot of time to think about a sit-down coffee shop. Over the past five years, he has talked with Eric Isom, Snake River Landing's chief operating officer, about locating there.
Two things brought about the coming of Cool Beanz. One was the closing of Bella Vita, the shop where Cool Beanz now is. The other was the lease that McAfee Security Systems signed, bringing 120 people into the building across Pier View Drive.
"I thought if we could service them it might so real well," Murphy said.
He was tempted to name the shop Java Express, but didn't want to create confusion among the coffee kiosk's devoted following.
Once the deal was in place, Murphy set to remodeling. "We pretty much took it down to scratch and rebuilt it," he said.
With the look there is a new menu, featuring Java Express coffee and tea, smoothies, desserts, panninis, bagel breakfast sandwiches, craft beers and wines.
Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Murphy said he is bullish on Snake River Landing's prospects, especially with the Home2 By Hilton hotel due to open in late summer.