A downtown Belleville attorney adds coffee shop owner to her résumé. What are her plans?
By now I’m sure you’ve heard that Joe & Onie’s in downtown Belleville was recently sold, as was the entire building at 18 E. Main St.
Cheryl Whitley of Belleville, a criminal justice attorney already based in downtown Belleville, bought the building and the business.
With this change, folks are probably wondering what’s to become of the café.
A new name
They will be happy to learn that the café will remain much as it’s been.
“The coffee shop is fully operational and fully staffed,” Whitley said.
Hemmer said in a previous interview that all of his employees would remain at the café.
The Hemmers “had a real good following … I don’t intend on changing much,” except maybe a few menu additions in the future, said Whitley.
Because Hemmer sold the business but not the name “Joe & Onie’s,” one thing that will change is the business’ name.
As a lawyer, it makes sense that Whitley renamed the business “Justitia’s,” after the Roman goddess of justice and the moral order.
Justitia is Lady Justice, and a version of her image (blindfolded lady holding scales) will be incorporated into the café’s signs and branding.
Joe & Onie’s was named after Hemmer’s parents to honor them and their family.
She appreciates the sentiment and admits that she has a dream in her heart to do something similar. Whitley wants to build something she can leave behind for later generations, including her 10-year-old twin daughters.
From tenant to owner
Whitley was already familiar with the coffee shop, which is across the street from her previous office at 27 E. Main St.
She said she’d stop in for coffee after court and would chat with Hemmer, who had been looking for a new tenant for the building’s upstairs office.
Whitley told Hemmer that the lease for her office was ending and wanted to move to a smaller space.
A lawyer for the last 12 years, she spends most of her working days on the move, traveling to see her clients or working with them online. A smaller office made sense.
After looking at the available space, she decided it would suit her needs.
Hemmer mentioned that he was open to selling the building and the café. Their lease agreement provided Whitley with first right of refusal if and when he decided to sell.
Hemmer said that Whitley asked for a number, so he gave one. She said yes and is now a commercial property and business owner.
Whitley will stay busy with her law practice, but it won’t keep her away from her Justitia’s.
“I will be present there, but we do have a manager that’s very competent” and a great staff to keep things running smoothly, she said.
She’s likely to be found there on Sundays and is looking forward to it.
