Admiral's Cup to Become Port City Java's Second Greenville Location
WILMINGTON, N.C.-- (THE DAILY REFLECTOR) -- August 05, 2005 -- Admiral's Cup Coffeehouse owner Michel Brett said she has sold her establishment to the North Carolina-based Port City Java chain.
Brett said it's a move that should be positive both for her and her customers, and she's happy with the decision to make her coffeehouse the second Greenville location of Port City Java.
She will stay on as manager, and said that all of the 13 current employees will remain in place, with new staff to be added.
" I don't want to leave this business, &334; she said. &334; Coffee is my passion. &334;
Admiral's Cup will change its name and begin selling Port City Java's coffee on Aug. 1.
After Port City Java opened its first café in Greenville's Rivergate East shopping center June 28, the company announced in a news release that the unit was the first of four planned cafés in the Emerald City.
" Greenville, N.C., is a market we are very excited to enter, as the Port City Java brand has strong recognition in the market due to its close proximity to Greenville, " said the chain's Chief Operating Officer Don Reynolds. " The students and residents of Greenville visit Wilmington, Port City Java's home market, to enjoy its retail and beaches. "
" The company will evaluate the market after the second opening in August and determine the size of the market and number of units needed to fully optimize the brand and penetrate the market. "
Brett and her husband Jerry Brett opened Admiral's Cup in the Marketplace at Lynndale shopping center on Red Banks road in July 2001. It moved across the parking lot to its current location, a building at 610 Red Banks Road that it shares with Moe's Southwest Grill, in July 2003.
" I've got a lot of blood, sweat and tears in this place, " Brett said Tuesday, scanning her shop as late-morning patrons settled down in Admiral's Cup with their coffees and employees took a steady stream of orders at the drive-through window. " I wouldn't let just anybody buy my business. We believe in Port City Java. "
" My son and daughter-in-law live in Wilmington, and we enjoy visiting Port City Java in Wilmington. We like their coffee. It's going to make a perfect marriage. "
" They will be able to do things we couldn't do, like expand the menu. If we believe enough about the new company to stay, then our customers should be happy with the changes. It's a very positive move. "
Brett said the decision didn't come without some soul-searching.
" It was hard at first. This was my baby, " she said. "But this is not corporate American running a mom-and-pop out of business. They were interested in us, because we had a great location and a great reputation and great customers, and we were interested in them. "
" It was a blessing. I had surgery on my neck last fall and I had to come back to work and never got to heal properly. And I've put my family aside for so long. Going 5 ½ years without a vacation has been tough. I took three days off three years ago when my son got married. And then I took time off for surgery, but that was not a vacation. I deserve a vacation. "
Brett said she looks forward to spending time with her mother, her adult children and her soon-to-be-born first grandchild.
And she's also glad that she can continue making sure Greenville gets a good cup of coffee.
Brett said the transition from Admiral's Cup to Port City Java will take place throughout the next couple of months, with Port City Java's menu being phased in. Brett said she will have details later about the menu and pricing when the coffeehouse changes over to the Port City Java.
Other Port City Java locations, including the one at Rivergate East, offer a variety of coffee beverages including espressos, cappuccinos and café lattes along with a wide variety of fruit smoothies, fresh juices, frappes, freezes and milkshakes. The cafés also serve grilled panini sandwiches, salads and baked goods
" They will also be doing some remodeling, including moving the drive-through, putting in a fireplace and enlarging the kitchen, " Brett said.
Admiral's Cup's coffee roaster will be removed from the premises, and the shop will begin selling coffee roasted in Wilmington. A private dining room will be constructed in the space where the coffee roaster currently sits.
Port City Java is based in North Carolina's "Port City" of Wilmington, hence the name. The chain was founded in 1995. There are 37 Port City Javas in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Maryland, Georgia, Texas, Virginia and New Jersey, with ambitious expansion plans
About the Port City Java® Brand
Port City Java® is located in Wilmington, NC. The Company opened its first café in March 1995, in Wilmington, NC. The Company began Roasting in October 1995 and Franchising in September 2003. Port City Java® has created a specific identity by creating an " all day approach " to sales, through its café environment. For additional information regarding Port City Java®, please email us.
