New Dickson 'Just Love Café' coffee shop opening at former popular restaurant site
A new coffee shop is opening in Dickson in the same spot where one of the county’s most popular restaurants once operated.
Just Love Café coffee shop and restaurant is opening at the College and Mathis streets intersection in the newly renovated building owned by Dickson Title, LLC. The building, formerly a Rite Aid, was overhauled in the last year, which includes high ceilings and large windows.
The Dickson Just Love co-owners Dhaval Patel and Paresh Patel believe that extra space will allow for a unique dining experience when the café is complete in about six months. They plan to build mezzanine seating on a second level that overlooks the dining space, Dhaval said.
The building also has a drive through window, a remaining feature of the Rite Aid building.
Rite Aid opened at the space after the immensely popular East Hills Restaurant closed and was demolished in 1998 after 50 years in business.
Just Love founder Rob Webb said the location, which is among the most highly-trafficked in Dickson County, and drive-through are a “good start,” Dhaval said.
Dhaval is also co-owner of Dos Bros restaurant in Dickson and Subway in Charlotte, and Paresh owns multiple Subway restaurants as well as a Mt. Juliet gas station where a Just Love Café opened in an adjoining space. The two both were impressed with the franchise’s philosophy and menu.
“The food quality is amazing,” said Dhaval, adding that the owners emphasize being a part of the community.
He said oil is not involved in any of the cooking.
“Everything is cooked in the waffle maker,” Dhaval said.
Dhaval, who is a vegetarian, said the café provides food options that also appeal to people avoiding meat.
He said discussions are ongoing with the architects for another couple months which is when they expect construction to start. Dhaval and Paresh are also planning on opening an Ashland City location in Cheatham County.
Dhaval noted he’s familiar with the Dickson community, having lived in the county for nearly 15 years now, and he feels local customers will embrace Just Love.
About Just Love
Related: Former Tennessee Titan opens Just Love Coffee in Franklin, and he works there, too
The company was started in 2009 by Rob Webb who was then working for the family's Webb Refreshments business. Webb said he and his wife started the then-online only company to help people sell coffee beans to pay for adoptions. The Webbs knew the costs after adopting children in Ethiopia. Rob Webb roasted the bean and then shipped them out.
The business grew. They moved into a larger space in Murfreesboro and Webb hired the company's roast master, Jason Smith. The online sales eventually turned into a cafe with more food options in 2011.
Now, most of their foods are cooked with a waffle iron, which, Webb said, makes the food more appealing for sharing on social media.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 'Just Love Café' coffee shop opening at former Dickson restaurant site
