Located just off Skillman Street in East Dallas, JuJu’s Coffee has quickly become a beloved local spot. With bubblegum pink floors, a white espresso machine, and a red coffee roaster in the corner, the café radiates a cozy, neighborhood vibe. Baristas engage with customers while preparing drinks, from whisking matcha to tamping espresso.
Nick Rocha, who co-founded JuJu’s Coffee with his wife Julia in May 2022, says, “It feels like we are part of the neighborhood.” The couple originally served coffee from a vintage Airstream before opening their brick-and-mortar location a year later. The community’s warm response has been evident, with JuJu’s winning Best Baristas at the 2024 Dallas Observer Best of Dallas awards. While the morning rush is fueled mainly by locals and regulars, JuJu’s Coffee is gaining attention beyond the neighborhood.
“I’m just in town visiting, and I always look for a cool coffee shop. JuJu’s Coffee fit the bill,” said customer Andrew Carty.
The idea for JuJu’s was born during the pandemic. While still in college at the University of North Texas and not yet married, Nick and Julia purchased a 1962 Airstream in 2020. “Everyone was trying to get a hold of everything,” Nick said. “That’s when we really started brainstorming and got the Airstream going.”
The Rochas joined a wave of entrepreneurs who launched businesses during the pandemic. Even as restrictions eased, the trend continued, with new business applications in October 2023 up by 59% compared to pre-pandemic levels, according to a U.S. press release.
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