From serving coffee in a renovated Ford van and traveling to community events, to a brick-and-mortar coffee shop, Amonie Jo’s International Coffee & Delights continues to take interest in their local community.

Angie Baeten, Patrice Williams, and V’Asiah Joseph are three energetic sisters who named their coffee shop business after their late mother, Amonie Joseph, who passed away from ovarian cancer in 2017. Spurred by doing something in her memory, the three decided to start a pop-up coffee shop in January of 2019.

The sisters began in an old Ford bus, constructing a mini kitchen and seating area for a few customers to sit and chat while they sipped iced coffee on a humid Florida day at the Winter Haven Farmers Market. After almost two years of business as a traveling coffee shop, they recently opened a storefront at the beginning of December 2020.

Located less than five minutes from downtown Winter Haven, Amonie Jo’s Coffee is now a quaint coffee shop with a bright space. The barstool counter seating allows for customers to work remotely or read a book while sipping a “cup of Joe” and supporting a local family-run business.

Amonie Jo’s is more than just a coffee shop — their specialty drink is their mother’s chai tea latte recipe, which was passed down from her mother. Amonie regularly made her spiced chai for her family and friends, and anyone who tried it always told her that she should sell it.

“The chai is our baby. It’s our signature drink. We also make teas, lemonade, espresso drinks, and drip coffee, all hot or iced,” says Patrice, who works at Amonie Jo’s full-time.

Their homemade chai is also available for sale in larger to-go jars for their customers to enjoy at home. While Amonie was the one who made chai tea, the sisters’ grandmother was the one who drank coffee and inspired their passion for coffee. In addition to their specialty chai, coffee, and matcha drinks, they sell a few breakfast items.

Angie, V’Asiah, and Patrice are three of six siblings, as they have three younger brothers who are also local to the greater Lakeland area.

“Our mom always wanted us to have something. As she became sicker, she kept saying, ‘I want each of you to have your own thing: V’Asiah to go back to school, Patrice to have her own business, and for me to finish school,” explains Angie. “So, why not this? Why not run a business together?”

While the three sisters all work at the coffee shop, V’Asiah recently began a career as an EMT and works in a hospital, fulfilling her mother’s dream that she would go back to school. However, the sisters are motivated by more than just their family.

“We are motivated by our faith as well. Of course, we’re a business and want to make money, but we don’t worry so much about what we’ll make or lose. We’re motivated by our faith, love, and the community. That’s what has us going on for two years now. It’s love,” says Angie.

Having been in the Winter Haven community for years, they have done quite a bit of networking, and as a family-run business, they remain very close to one another.

“We had a woman who came when we were at the Winter Haven Farmers Market and bought a lemonade every week out of love for our family. Knowing that we can connect with people and love them, it has been a healing tool,” says Angie. “We’re not just selling coffee. We love connecting with people.”

The sisters are personable and friendly, greeting every customer with a smile hidden behind a mask, creating a restful environment, perfect for reconnecting with childhood friends or meeting new ones.

AMONIE JO’S INTERNATIONAL COFFEE & DELIGHTS
1654 1st Street N.
Winter Haven, FL 33881
IG: @amoniejos