We’re home from Texas and I’ve been so excited to share some photos from our trip with you!
While Kevin was at soundcheck at The Mission Church on Thursday, I decided to walk around the square in downtown Mount Pleasant. I haven’t ventured off by myself in a while (my recent health issues re-triggered my anxiety/panic…or was it the other way around?), but for some reason I was feeling comfortable about exploring on my own a little that day, so I grabbed my camera and went for it. I had seen a shop called “Jo’s” a couple of blocks away from the church on our way there, so I thought I’d wander back that way to see what was inside.
One side of the building said “Jo’s Antiques”…
…but upon closer inspection, I discovered that it was a coffee shop…
I’m not a coffee drinker (because of the caffeine), but one peek through the front window, and I just had to go inside and learn more about the place and the people who spend time there. We were clearly kindred spirits…
These two were so sweet to let me take pictures of practically everything:
Including them! 😀
…and right before I snapped those photos of the stage area, this smiley gal came out through a door near the place I was standing:
She introduced herself with a hug (I love huggers!), and told me that she and her husband opened Jo’s Coffee Shop a couple of weeks ago. (Funny story: she also told me that she follows my Instagram feed, so we were able to catch up very quickly! 😀 )
We spent the better part of an hour walking and talking about decorating, and the building, and taking leaps of faith, and I left feeling SO inspired to create something!
I left with a watering mouth, too. :-/
Goodness gracious, get a load of the Queen Bee…
…and the Ginger-Peach Tea-Lemonade:
…and don’t even get me started on the Affogato:
It’s espresso over vanilla ice cream with whip cream & mocha syrup, served in a frosty mug.
#YumOverYumWithYum&YumServedInAYesPlease
I’m still on the no dairy, no caffeine, no chocolate, nothing acidic, nothing carbonated, nothing processed, nothing fried, nothing spicy and nothing too sugary diet, but walking away from THAT without taking even one tiny sip felt criminal. 😛
If you’re a coffee drinker (and not rattled by caffeine or on a break from sugary things), you MUST, I repeat, MUST visit Jo’s in Mount Pleasant, Texas and try at Affogato for me. But don’t tell me a thing about how good it is…that would feel downright criminal, too. 😉
What a pretty place and such nice people! I also deal with (struggle!) LPR or silent reflux. My only symptom is a chronic, unrelenting cough. I have found a Facebook page for it: Laryngealpharyngeal Reflux Support. Feel free to join us if you like.
Oh my! Could that place have been any more perfect?!? That chalk lettering is to die for! What a sweet spot and gift for your soul!! ♡♡
My daughter, Erika Ponce de Leon created the chalk wall. She is a true artist 🙂
you make me want to head to texas!
What a cute place! I live not too far from Mt. Pleasant. I see a road trip in the future.
I don’t think that shop could be any cuter! Love all the things she did. Love the fancy sofas and the industrial lights together! I want you to know I deal with anxiety issues. They are quite controlled now, however, I understand the going outside of one’s comfort zone. In a nutshell, I went off meds for migraines waaay to fast last fall (thanks Dr.), hoping to be “clean” and try to deal with my migraines some other way since the meds had stopped working. I was left in horrible, horrible withdrawals and anxiety episodes, and as a result had anxiety issues! So I understand. Also, I can be rather chatty, and the more I talked to women, the more I found many had dealt with anxiety at some point. We are not alone.
I, too, had a health issue that triggered severe anxiety (and, yes, it does happen in that order 🙂 It was eventually managed and has resolved but it was very scary. I am praying for you and that you will find resolve and peace. Thank you for being so transparent and open. That is a gift from the Lord.
That shop is to die for! If I lived in Mount Pleasant I would go there every day and just bask in the prettiness. Someone with very, very good taste is responsible for that decor!
I live near Mt. Pleasant, and I hadn’t heard about this new coffee shop yet. I can’t wait to try it. =)
We are thrilled to have this wonderful place in town. They have a worship service upstairs Sunday evenings. Jo was a precious lady who had the antique shop for many years. I believe her sweet spirit still resides in the building and brings peace to those who stay awhile. I was, also, thrilled to see that you had visited since I follow your blog.
My daughter (Maddie) is a barista at Jo’s. This is her first job and she absolutely loves it. I’m very proud of her; she makes a mean cup of Jo 😉 We were on vacation this week, she said she can’t wait to go back to work. That says a lot for the people she works with and for…
Looks like such a charming place! My best friend is from there. I will have ask her if she knows about it. So sorry you are dealing with anxiety. I suffer from it to and when it hits it takes a lot to venture out and about. Tomorrow I am having to drive downtown for my son’s field trip and I am trying not to freak out. Driving on the Beltway here in Houston is my least favorite thing to do.
Love that she already knew who you were! What a small world! Thanks for sharing! LOVE this space! Glad TX was filled with fun stops!
Good to know info on Mt Pleasant! We travel right through there on our way back to New Mexico from Searcy, Arksnsas fairly often. Looks so sweet and isn’t it fun meeting up like that! It’s a God thing!
I love coffee and/or sandwich shops like this. I am always looking for them when I visit somewhere new! This ones on my list now! BTW – what happened to the post from a couple of weeks ago with pics from a yellow house? My husband and I bought a new house about 2 years ago and we are redoing several rooms. I never thought I was a “cottage” kind of girl but this house seems to scream for it – or my tastes are changing!! I wanted to show my hubby the pics of those rooms as inspiration for our home. Did I lose something?
Layla, this had to be a God-orchestrgted meeting! These are such Godly people. Jo’s was born out of a local ministry that bought the building, which is also where a new church meets upstairs. God is welcomed in that place every week! Since it is unusual that you wander off by yourself, I truly feel God led you there, even though you’re not a coffee drinker! Hope to meet you and give a hug too someday! Blessings!
-Lynda
Oh boy, the ginger peach tea-lemonade sounds so good! I would love to have that place near me. 🙂 I was having terrible panic attacks for the past few years, (it was really scary driving!) but I have been off of dairy since November and what a difference! No more panic attacks and I really feel like I am calmer and more emotionally balanced…not sure if it was all of the hormones in dairy that was throwing my body out of whack but I really do notice a difference. I hope it helps you, too!
Thank you, Melinda. 🙂 I haven’t noticed a difference yet, but maybe it takes a while? (It’s been about a month)
Layla, it took a couple of months for my body to adjust. I have also been taking a tincture of Burdock root so I’m not sure if that has been helping too? It is natural, you just add about 25 drops to a glass of water a day…might be worth looking into? ( I make sure I get the alcohol-free tincture) Hope this helps!
I live about an hour from this quaint little town. My husband and I love planning a little day trip there. We enjoy Jo’s and the antique shops( found a unique one in the country too). Just a nice, friendly, can’t wait to go back, town!
Did you get near Waco? I thought I recall something about you might go there. I’m dying to go to Joanna Gaines shop (Magnolia Market).
This shop is adorable. Coffee deserts are my favorite. I would have been in trouble.
I often think about the negative impact social media has had on the world. But when two strangers instantly become friends because of Instagram it can’t all be bad.