Java Jacks owner tracks rising costs in Tappahannock

Jeans Owens, owner of Java Jacks in Tappahannock, Va., has watched the cost of essential goods climb sharply in recent years. Since 2022, the price of coffee has increased by more than 30%. The cost of beef and sausage has also risen, impacting the cafe's menu. Owens noted that takeout containers, which once cost 12 cents, now cost nearly 30 cents. Combined costs for cups, lids, and straws have jumped from approximately 3 cents to over 20 cents.

Energy expenses have compounded these financial pressures. Owens reported that her monthly electricity bill, which typically ranged between $450 and $500, has recently exceeded $1,000. To maintain affordable menu prices, including keeping some meals at $10, she has altered her procurement methods. She now purchases milk and juice from a Walmart early in the morning instead of relying on a dedicated supplier. She also sources fresh fruit from a local grocery store and compares prices among three different suppliers to find the lowest costs.

Customer behavior has shifted in response to higher prices. Owens observed a rise in senior citizens sharing orders, a trend that was rare when she and her husband took over the business eight years ago. Tipping patterns have also fluctuated with gas prices; tips decreased when fuel costs rose and increased again when they fell. Despite these changes, she aims to keep the cafe accessible for her loyal customer base.

Staffing remains a primary challenge for Owens, who operates a second coffee location across the river in Warsaw. She has faced short-staffed periods for months at a time. In this rural area, where the median income is approximately $50,000 per year, rising rents make it difficult for employees to find housing. Owens has assisted workers by helping them locate residences or providing temporary motel stays. She currently carpooling five employees to work because many lack reliable transportation or are constrained by gas prices.

To manage the labor shortage, Owens has taken on kitchen shifts, delaying her administrative duties until evenings or days off. She noted that other local restaurant owners are facing similar pressures. Owens, who is running for the non-partisan town council, wants the congressional representative for Virginia's 1st District to understand the current difficulties facing small businesses. The district includes a tight race between Republican incumbent Rob Wittman and Democrat Shannon Taylor.

Jameka Campbell, an office manager and community outreach director in Richmond County, believes politicians need to understand current economic realities. She works two jobs at the historical site Menokin and the nonprofit Just Harvest Va. Campbell uses a systematic approach to shopping to manage her household budget. She uses the Walgreens app to clip coupons and track rewards, aiming to spend only $100 per month on household supplies.

During a recent trip to a Walgreens in Callao, Campbell purchased toilet paper, facial tissues, Lysol, dish detergent, wipes, laundry pods, bathroom cups, scent boosters, toothpaste, a toothbrush, and mouthwash. Her total cost was $60.04, and she saved $27.71 through rewards and discounts. She applies rewards from one transaction to the next within the same day to maximize savings.

Campbell is monitoring the midterm election candidates, planning to research their voting records and personal property holdings. She intends to decide her vote closer to election day, stating that she is currently in an economic middle ground where her financial status could change rapidly. She draws motivation from the history of the site where she works, viewing the current financial strain as manageable compared to the hardships of those who farmed Menokin.