Taking stock of Sibling

From the early days of popcorn machine roasting to now owning the roaster folks can see displayed in the front of her store, Powell traversed her journey of those garage brews to landing in Clarke County’s Farmers Market in Berryville, Va., to, eventually, landing in her current spot. 

Formerly Jumpin’ Java Cafe and, most recently before Powell’s takeover, Mad Monks Coffee Shop, the spot holds a dear spot in her heart. As a lifelong resident of Charles Town, Jumpin’ Java was the location of her baby shower, hosted by nursing friends, as well as the spot where the monks let her establish her business' second home. 

“When we were starting our coffee shop at 304 W. Washington St., this was Mad Monks,” she said motioning to the shop. “The monks approached me; COVID had basically shut them down and they couldn’t keep it

going—it was too time-consuming. We were partners for the first two years I was in business, they’d use the kitchen to make bread and I used the front of the house to run Sibling. It was wonderful.”

Though she pointed out she’s always had an entrepreneurial spirit when asked how she was able to shift most of her focus away from nursing to run a coffee shop, Powell said, overall, they’re pretty similar fields—obvious differences aside. 

“It’s really similar—it’s similar pace running a coffee shop and working in an emergency room,” she said. “It’s a fast-paced business, and there’s a lot of personal touch, which is similar to being a nurse. What has been so satisfying is that I can sit down, have a conversation with someone and not having someone behind me asking, “Why haven’t you discharged that patient yet?

“I can take my time with people who are struggling or just want to have a real conversation. So it was an easy transition. I still work [as a nurse] but not full-time, just one day every few weeks. I find that there’s a lot of medical professionals that are involved in coffee shops.”

That personal touch also extends to the aesthetic of the shop. It’s not hard to pick up on the Christian touches as well as the love for fictional literature. Having Game of Thrones and Harry Potter quotes juxtaposed with worship music playing over the speakers can throw some people off—especially if they understand the historical relationship between fictional literature and the Christian religion—though Powell said it makes total sense to her to display both. 

“I love fiction, and as my kids were growing up, it was the Harry Potter era,” she said. “One of my nieces in Oklahoma had started reading the series, and when we visited her I read the first book. It was easy, safe … yes it had witchcraft in it but I never believed in it. It’s fiction to me. 

“My dad is a Baptist preacher, so I’m sure if that literature had come out when I was home, I’m pretty certain he wouldn’t have taken me to buy the books. I’ve been a different kind of creature … I respect my faith and church, but I’m also human and read the series and fell in love with it. I also read it to my children. It was safe; as long as you teach your children that it’s fiction, which we did.” 

Powell also noted that it’s a great way to start conversations with her guests, possibly to share her faith. 

“It’s also a good talking point to reach someone who isn’t Christian,” she said. “I don’t think God’s intention for us is to set ourselves on a pedestal … so for me, it’s a really common ground for someone who isn’t involved in church. They’ll say, ‘Oh, you like Harry Potter?” And I’d say, ‘Yes, and I also love Jesus and he loves you, too.’” 

“Coming into this shop I want people to know I’m Christian, but that it doesn’t matter where you’ve come from, where you’re headed, who you love, when you walk through this door I’ll show you the love of Christ.” 

Powell was also open about her business’ struggles. With inflation over the years, the price of her beans has gone up significantly—they’ve almost tripled in two years, she said—with a recent increase noted at 60% on her raw, green coffee beans. And, with the economy in a topsy-turvy cycle right now, her concerns were almost palpable. 

“It’s gotten really out of hand. We raised our prices last year because prices were up,” she said. “We’re not making a dime on beans; Charles Town isn’t a place that can absorb what I should be charging for those, so right now we’re trying to make up for it with the bakery and retail side.” 

As for where she gets her beans, she tries to buy from all over the bean belt, when it makes economic sense and when they’re available. 

“We try to get a splattering of everything from [the bean belt]. Right now we’re getting a lot of Peruvian [beans] since they’re coming into port. But it depends on the cost.” 

To offset her costs, Powell does private roasting on the side for local spots like a local church in Inwood, Cardinal Coffee in Kearneysville and other individuals spread out in the area. She said this has been extremely helpful, even though they’re small batches. 

“There’s a couple of companies that I roast for that people may not realize. That’s where we’re able to keep ourselves afloat. Here, in this coffee shop in this town, it’s not a money-making business,” she said. “It’s nothing huge. We’re nowhere near the level of Black Dog.” 

So, if you’re in the area, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., be sure to pick up a cup. It may become your new favorite spot.

Free tip? Get a Salty Sibling cookie to go with your Joe.