'If you have a dream, do it.' Coffee house opens in San Angelo honoring late family member

SAN ANGELO — A family from Mertzon and San Angelo who opened a coffee shop this month honoring a late family member hope to leave an imprint on the community.

Part owner of JC Coffee House, Shell Smith, said the shop at 3025 Southwest Blvd was created to honor her father, Jack Charlton who died last year in May. Smith runs the coffee shop with her husband Scott, her daughter Kendree Perez, son Mason Clayton and his wife Addison Clayton.

Smith said she was inspired to start the business after her father died.

"I had been reading and listening to lots of songs and one quote I heard said, 'If you have a dream, then do it, don't take your dream with you,'" she said.

The family talked about the idea of a business and it had been Addison's dream to open a restaurant.

"We wanted something family-based where people can come in and feel like part of our family," Addison said. "We're not trying to make millions or anything. This is more of us wanting to leave our imprint on San Angelo, so what better way to do that than with coffee."

"We will have anything from Americano's to cold brews to plain black coffee," Addison said.

Addison said they are running on a limited menu until the JC Coffee House's grand opening on February 11 where they hope to have a full menu.

"If we can make it homemade, it'll be homemade," Addison said, who found her passion in culinary work. "We're going to have keto and low carb alternatives since lots of people are wanting to eat healthy right now."

Aside from pastries, JC Coffee House also will have breakfast sandwiches, specialty grilled cheese, chicken salad, cobb salad and more.

"We are going to have significant sandwiches that San Angelo doesn't really see very often," Addison said. "We're going to have different kinds of things we will be known for."

One of the sandwiches will be served with peanut butter and jelly, including bacon, bananas and jalapenos, called 'The Big Jack.'

On Mondays, first responders will get a free coffee or half-priced specialty drink. Wednesdays will have the same discount for clergy, with Fridays for teachers.

Smith said their family is very involved in the church and they want people to come into their shop and feel welcomed.

"We want to fill up their belly with our goodies, but also spiritually and mentally," Smith said. "Right now, people are missing a lot of love, so we want them to feel that when they come in."

JC Coffee House is open from 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Saturday serving specialty coffees, pastries and other foods.

Others are reading: 'Not a slam-dunk' but there's a chance for snow in San Angelo this week

This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: JC Coffee House opens in San Angelo honoring late family member