Cape Coral coffee shop suddenly closes just four months after opening

Robyn George, Fort Myers News-Press
·2 min read
PJ’s is known for its beignets, New Orleans sandwiches and award-winning coffee.
PJ’s is known for its beignets, New Orleans sandwiches and award-winning coffee.

PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans has closed its doors just four months after making its Cape Coral debut.

Susan Wright, who co-owns the Cape Commons location with partner Mike Herren, cited franchise differences as the reason for the Oct. 18 closure, adding she couldn’t discuss it further at this time.

She did reflect on her customers and her staff though.

“We had people coming in every day, ordering coffee and sitting down to talk to us,” Wright said. “That made my day. I’m very sad that’s gone. We made a lot of relationships with our customers. We loved what we were doing.”

PJ's Coffee opened on June 19 in Cape Coral and closed Oct. 18.
PJ's Coffee opened on June 19 in Cape Coral and closed Oct. 18.

Their shop, just the second PJ’s in Florida at the time, opened in mid-June at the corner Pine Island Road and Del Prado Boulevard. It joined Crumbl Cookies, First Watch, Mission BBQ and Firehouse Subs in the growing plaza that once was home to Circle-K.

PJ’s had a staff of 14 part-time workers at the time of closing.

“We lost a great team,” Wright said. “They were awesome.”

Prior to opening PJ's in the Cape, Wright was one of the first six people to start opening stores for Five Guys and was that fast-food chain’s Florida regional manager for 15 years. In 2008, she opened Five Guys Coral Walk in the Target-anchored plaza on Pine Island Road, just a mile away from what would be her PJ’s.

Susan Wright and Mike Herren own PJ's Coffee in Cape Coral.
Susan Wright and Mike Herren own PJ's Coffee in Cape Coral.

“I remember there was nothing here,” she said in June. “I hoped it would grow. Lo and behold, it took off.”

PJ’s is known for its fresh-baked beignets, New Orleans sandwiches and award-winning coffee. Cape customers could choose indoor or patio seating or opt for the drive-thru.

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The first Florida location opened “in a gas station in Largo.” Then came the Cape, followed by shops in Tampa and Pensacola. Locations are expected soon in New Port Richey and Daytona, according to PJ’s corporate website.

PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans was originally founded by Phyllis Jordan in 1978 and has more than 160 locations operating nationwide.

Robyn George is a food and dining writer for The Fort Myers News-Press. Send news to rhgeorge@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: 'Very sad': PJ's Coffee shop closes four months after Cape Coral debut