Wally Kennedy: Coffee shop numbers continue to climb in area

Nov. 9—Are we going crazy for coffee or what? New coffee shops are springing up everywhere. There are two new shops in Joplin, one in Webb City and two in the village of Airport Drive.

If you Google "coffee shops in Joplin," the number of red dots on the map exceeds 20 locations. There was a time when coffee was almost exclusively brewed at home or consumed in restaurants.

It is estimated that Americans now drink 146 billion cups of coffee annually. That's about 9 pounds of coffee per capita. The market for coffee grew 6.6% last year. Is it any wonder that coffee shops are springing up everywhere?

The latest entry into the Joplin coffee market is Crazy Llama Coffee at 415 W. 32nd St. This shop was designed by Corner, Greer and Associates, of Joplin, and it shows.

It's a remarkably stylish and inviting place to drink coffee or enjoy a specialty drink.

Owner Randy Miller said: "We wanted a place where people could come and relax, and meet people."

Crazy Llama Coffee offers a wide range of cold, hot and iced drinks. You can get a scone, a cinnamon roll or muffin to accompany your drink. Check out the menu at crazyllamacoffee.com.

The first Crazy Llama Coffee opened in 2018 at 1206 W. MacArthur Drive in Webb City. Miller said he chose a site on West 32nd Street because of its traffic count and proximity to Joplin's medical community. About 19,000 vehicles pass by the coffee shop on a daily basis. The shop has a drive-thru window.

The shop has a gift section with T-shirts, handmade coffee mugs and bags of coffee.

Hours are from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Coming soon

A new restaurant, Julian's Family Diner, is set to open on Nov. 27 at 1897 S. Madison St. in Webb City. This restaurant was formerly a Pizza Hut.

The restaurant, which will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, was completely remodeled by the new owners over a period of several months. You would never guess it was once a Pizza Hut.

The menu will feature the classics of American cuisine — roast beef, chicken fried steak and fried catfish — and some international influences, like gyro and falafel sandwiches, and chicken masala. Also on the menu are a host of starters, salads, burgers and sandwiches. And there's a kid's menu. This will be a full-service restaurant. Check out the menu online at julians.cafe.

New co-op

A new agricultural co-op, Ag Partners, has opened a business and distribution office at 4408 S. Range Line Road.

Weston Smith, a company spokesman, said the company has transformed a concrete pad and sheet-metal shell on the property into an operations center that will help AG Partners, based in Seneca, Kansas, expand its presence in the Four-State Area. The company has 25 locations in Northeast Kansas and Northwest Missouri.

The farmer-owned company specializes in bulk seeds, fertilizer, fuel and lubricants.

"Grain is our biggest thing, along with bulk fuel distribution," he said.

The site was chosen because of its prime location with regard to east-west distribution on Interstate 44 and north-south distribution on Interstate 49.

Hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Details: 877-336-6153.

Contact Wally Kennedy at wkennedy@joplinglobe.com.