Coffee competitors come together: Hava Java joins Jumping Bean

Two St. John's coffee companies — and former competitors — are percolating together. The Water Street staple Hava Java is ditching its name to join forces with the popular Newfoundland Jumping Bean Coffee brand.

Rob Collins has been the owner and operator of Hava Java for nearly 20 years. Now, he's trading that title in for a senior management position with Jeff LeDrew's company, Jumping Bean Coffee.

The two might be long-time competitors, but they're also long-time friends.

LeDrew calls Collins the godfather of coffee and says the pair have been brewing this partnership for quite some time.

"[Rob's] always produced the best, top quality drinks in the city and that's always what I've strived for as well," LeDrew told CBC News.

"I've never had a chance to deal with it at a store level and what Rob does is bring that to the table — a perfect marriage," LeDrew said.

Each bring a different flavour to the partnership, according to Collins. "[Jeff's] been in manufacturing and roasting. That's his side of the business," he said.

"I've been in the cafe racket for a long time ... I'm looking forward to it, [he] better be."

Coffee concerns

Collins said he'll be bringing his Hava Java staffing model to all 11 Jumping Bean locations across Atlantic Canada.

"Where I come from is my staff. I've got the best staff out there, I honest to God do, and that's what I want to do with all the rest of the cafes — is get it to that level of quality," said Collins.

"We're just making it more local." ​ According to LeDrew, the pair have simply flipped the brand, and loyal Hava Java customers can expect the same blends as before.

"We're not going to fundamentally change Hava Java. We're going to bring the best of that into Jumping Bean."

Both Hava Java locations in St. John's have begun operating as Jumping Bean coffee shops, starting Dec. 15.