Keep Java House Jiving

Thirty years…before Starbucks, before Black Rock and Dutch Bros., there was
Java House.  This pillar of the community, a gathering place for like minds, a home away from home. 

In 1991, when downtown Vancouver was primarily the business and legal center of the city, Lonnie and Cora Chandler opened Java House.  From the start, when
Java House was the only coffee place downtown, this is where customers received great service and excellent coffees, teas, and pastries. Patrons included
business people, city movers and shakers, and anyone who enjoyed really great
drinks, eats, and hospitality.

We started this Go Fund Me project as a memorial to two ‘regulars’ of Java
House, John Potter who passed away in 2020 and Erika Karcher who left us in
2016.  John was a Friday afternoon regular at Java House and Erika stopped by
often to get her beloved “mocha hits.”

The Friday afternoon friends included teachers, law office staff, and occasionally the kids of some of the regulars. They met at Java House to wind down from the
work week and kick-off the weekend. Over time, we have lost some loved ones
but the support and friendship of the Friday Afternoon Regulars has remained
constant.  Some of us have retired so we meet at our home away from home –
Java House - where Lonnie and Cora greet us by name and have our orders
started before we even reach the counter.

Due to these unprecedented times during Covid restrictions, our friends at Java House are suffering as many of us are unable to gather together to share our lives as we have in the past.  Cora and Lonnie have been an integral part of our
community for the past 30 years – fundraising for non-profits like Dancing with
the Stars to benefit the Children’s Center, assisting with The Children’s Home
Society, collecting school supplies and serving on the Chamber Board of
Directors.  They have also made a point to use local sources for their coffees, teas, and eats. 

Now it is our time to show them the same support they have shown all of us. 
Please consider donating here to show the Chandlers how much their business
and friendship mean to each of us or visit the Java House in person to
congratulate them on 30 years of exceptional service.  And pick up a terrific cuppa coffee, tea or some fresh beans or tea while you’re there!