Today we’d like to introduce you to Jolene Bush.
Jolene, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Perk Avenue began in June of 2006….. I returned to my hometown of Madison, GA….. I had been away for 26 years, married and raising a family. Post-divorce, Perk was born as a totally new career for a middle-aged mom! I only knew that I enjoyed coffee and hospitality, so I suspected this might be a good thing! Indeed. We now operate seven days a week, and have established our place in the community as “the meeting place.” We have enjoyed some success at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with great coffee and entertainment as well. There are bands and solo artists on weekends at the Perk. That has been a fun addition for the last seven years.
We love our patrons… and there are many regulars. We try to serve the best food and beverage, with a smile. We remember our customers and their coffee drink, usually. Sometimes my managers see people coming across the street, and start the specialty drink for them before they walk in….. honest! It’s a great hometown atmosphere… where everyone is welcome. If you come through the front door, we call you friend.
That was the intent in the beginning. So, I call this success.
Has it been a smooth road?
Of course, it has not been a totally smooth road! No success story is without struggles! We weathered a tremendous recession, and live and work in an 1870’s building…. there is always something to be repaired or replaced….. on the budget of a coffee shop!
For the first ten years of the Perk journey, I had the support, prayers, and help of my beautiful daddy. He was my absolute helper in every respect. If he was not at the Perk, he was out in town telling people about how great it was! And then he went home at night and prayed for me and for my business.
I attribute much of the “overcoming” to my daddy. His picture hangs in Perkin his memory….. and to keep me mindful of the rich heritage that we have…..
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Perk Avenue Cafe & Coffee House story. Tell us more about the business.
Perk Avenue is a totally family owned company. We specialize in….. great coffee and great food. We are known for a good hot sandwich, a fabulous quesadilla, great salads and the best coffee in town.
As a company, we are most proud to be not only physically in the center of town, but we are the heart and center for our little town as a meeting space, a workspace, and a social space. We have striven to be a service vehicle in some ways. We think our town depends on us being here!
What sets us apart? We care… I promise that everything that we do, we do it with a heart…..
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I only see the Perk moving forward… No business, no person for that matter….. stands still. We either move forward or drift backward. We will always go forward, as long as I am the owner.
I have plans…. not to change who we are…. but to add to what we have to offer. There will be new menus, new drinks, and some new hours….. stay tuned.
Contact Info:
- Address: 111 West Jefferson St, Madison, Georgia
- Website: www.perkave.com
- Phone: 706 342 2562
- Email: jolenebush@yahoo.com
- Instagram: Perk Avenue Cafe & Coffee House
- Facebook: Perk Avenue Cafe & Coffee House
- Other: Perk Avenue Cafe & Coffee House Jolene H Bush
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