Sometimes a business idea starts with a carefully drawn-up plan. Sometimes it starts after a very long day at Dollywood.

For Topsfield resident JJ Cole, 17, it was the latter.

After a full day at the theme park with his family, JJ summed up the experience simply: “Phew, long day.” His family laughed — and realized they might have stumbled onto the perfect name for the coffee business JJ had been talking about starting.

Today, JCG Long Day Coffee is a small, family-owned company built around JJ, his brother Gabriel and JJ’s longtime friend Cathryn Lally. The initials stand for JJ, Gabriel and Cathryn, whose friendship is rooted in a shared love of music, dance and plenty of laughter.

The idea for a coffee company grew as JJ began his junior year of homeschool. His family was looking for ways to use real-life experiences to teach practical life and financial skills, and one idea kept resurfacing: JJ loves coffee and wanted to own a small coffee business.

So they decided to give it a try.

The result has taken JJ beyond lessons at home and into the community. His favorite parts, according to his mom, Andrea Cole, are spending time with Cathryn and visiting local businesses to share his product. Long Day Coffee is now sold at several area shops, with plans to continue expanding through community events.
The business has also found a natural partner in Coffee by Cathryn, a coffee-cart ministry created around Cathryn’s own talents and love of serving others.

Cathryn, 22, is no stranger to work or pursuing big goals. She has worked at a restaurant since high school, participates in L’Arche Boston North’s culinary arts program and competes in Special Olympics sports. She is also an enthusiastic dancer who hopes one day to become a wedding planner.

Coffee by Cathryn began during a period of transition in her life, as she finished school and her family considered meaningful ways for her to continue working, serving and connecting with others. They created a mobile coffee cart, and a collaboration with JJ and his family made Long Day Coffee part of the plan.
Together, JJ and Cathryn have served coffee at church and community events, including St. Rose of Lima in Topsfield and Our Lady of Hope in Ipswich. They help set up, hand out cups, greet visitors and keep the coffee flowing.

Both have Down syndrome, but their families hope what people notice most is what happens when young adults are given meaningful opportunities to contribute: they work, learn, build relationships and bring their own talents to the table.

For JJ, there is still plenty of room to grow.

Plans include bringing Long Day Coffee to events at the Disability Resource Center in Salem, The Arc of Haverhill and the Topsfield Fair, while continuing to build relationships with local retailers.

And behind the coffee is a friendship that came first. Andrea describes JJ as clever and unique, with a love of summer, swimming, food adventures, travel and making music with his brother. Cathryn and JJ, she says, share laughter, music, dance and an enthusiasm for enjoying life.

For JJ and Cathryn, there are still plenty of places to go — and plenty of coffee to serve. What began with a long day, a good idea and a close friendship is growing one cup, one customer and one community connection at a time.

Want to try Long Day Coffee? Learn more and order online at jglongdaycoffee.com.