West Side Java’s new owner feels like herself after buying coffee shop

Kayla Johnson wasn’t feeling like herself until she purchased West Side Java.

Ever since the death of her husband, Dave, in 2021, the outgoing extrovert had become a shut-in. It wasn’t like her, but she had every reason to grieve. And a pain that great would take some time. Only Johnson did not expect the thing to get her out of that mindset was buying a coffee shop she had frequented.

For the past month or so, she has been interacting with customers thanking her for buying West Side Java, and she cracks a big smile with employees when preparing the latest caffeinated drinks. Johnson has never owned a business before, but the sudden decision has changed her completely. And for the better.

“I’m typically a fairly outgoing person, and I wasn’t after Dave died,” she said. “I wasn’t wanting to go anywhere. I wasn’t wanting to do anything. I would just stay at home. And I was like, ‘I need to get out again and be around people!’ What better place than here? I’ve met such wonderful people!”

Many of which are longtime customers from when the coffee shop went by the name of Bridgehouse Coffee Co., which closed in 2022. At the time of the shop’s closing, there were extensive facade improvements that had yet to be completed after the building sustained latent, severe damage from the 2020 derecho.

However, the building has since been remodeled. Johnson remarked the shop was left in great shape by the time she took over in mid-October. With two employees under her belt, West Side Java was business-ready after all the red tape from the state concluded. So far, it’s been a blast.

Johnson was a frequent customer of the coffee shop. When deciding whether to purchase the business, she viewed the drive-thru and the quality of the food and drink products as major positives. With her now taking over ownership after Juli Stanford sold the place, Johnson hopes to maintain what customers love.

All the while she is learning the ropes of owning a coffee shop much like Stanford did when she took over in 2022. The more Johnson works the shop, the more she understands why establishments like these have the expenses they have and what kinds of menu items customers really love. It’s a fun challenge.

“We’re back and ready to go,” she said.

Johnson was born and raised in Newton; in fact she lives a block over from where she grew up. Which means she remembers when the town square and downtown Newton were the places to be. Although it is not the downtown she remembered growing up, the city still has a wonderful downtown area.

“I’m excited to be a part of that and support the other businesses around the square,” Johnson said. “…I’m not out to get rich or anything, but I’m out to maintain something that is here, that is loved, that employs a couple of people. And I love it when people are gathered in here and talking. I love that.”

Getting to know the customers and reconnecting with old classmates and friends is one of Johnson’s favorite parts about working at West Side Java. The coffee shop feels the same for a lot of customers, which is what Johnson wants, but folks have even noticed a difference in Johnson ever since she took over.

“They’ve seen a difference in my personality and stuff,” she said. “I’ve got an 11-year-old at home and he’s really excited for this, too.”

Of course, her favorite part of the job is being able to “feel human” again.

“I’m getting myself back out, and I needed that,” she said. “…A lady that (Dave) worked with came in one of the first days I was open saying, ‘He’d be so proud of you!’ I said, no, he’d think I was crazy! A good crazy! And I think he would have supported it.”