Coast customers stop for last swig of coffee as two local shops close for good
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Two PJ’s Coffee locations under the same franchise group are closing today.
- The Latimer location lost passing traffic after a new road redirected the main route.
- The franchise owner said he couldn’t say why they are closing.
There were no sandwiches available or cases full of fresh pastries when regulars stopped by today for a last coffee or cold drink at two favorite coffee shops in South Mississippi.
The two PJ’s Coffee locations operating under the same franchise group — open since 2019 — are closing today.
David LeBron opened the first at 10439 D’Iberville Road in May 2019 and another off Cook Road at exit 50 of I-10 in Latimer later that year.
The ownership of the franchise, but not the property, has changed since then and the new owner said he couldn’t say why the shops are closing.
Ellie Bridges of Ocean Springs was on the front porch of the Latimer store on the last day, with her computer open and a drink nearby. She’s a student at Ole Miss and said she comes to work at the Latimer store whenever she’s home. “It’s sad,” she said.
The Latimer store was affected when a new road was built between Cook Road and D’Iberville and the main route no longer passed the shop.
Competition also is a factor for many restaurant closings, as several new coffee shops have opened in Ocean Springs, D’Iberville and other areas of South Mississippi over the last year.
PJ’s Coffee is known for its hot and cold coffees, energy drinks, frozen and caffeine-free beverages that change with the seasons, along with cinnamon rolls and breakfast and lunch sandwiches.
Other PJ’s Coffee locations on the Coast are in Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, Gulfport and Ocean Springs.
