By Crystal Thompson
"Havre needed a culture shock." That's the sentiment that pushed Havre resident Neil McElligot to create Java to Java, the Hi-Line's first and only cyber cafe.
McElligot, co-owner of Java to Java, moved to Havre four years ago to attend classes at MSU-Northern. "The community needed something to do," he said, "... there was nothing consistent, especially in regards to the Internet."
McElligot's concept was to create not only a cyber cafe, but a multi-task work center which would serve a variety of people with a variety of services. After over a year of planning and working with the concept, Java to Java opened its doors to the Havre community.
The store, located at 437 1st Street, is a multi-faceted operation, providing services to both business clients and store patrons. To its business clients, Java to Java offers technological and website assistance, as well as the ability to basically run a business from the store's workstation. Java to Java offers printing and graphic design, packaging, UPS shipping, copying and faxing services to its clients.
Java to Java patrons enjoy high speed internet access to browse the web, burn CDs or work on school, work or personal projects. A variety of coffees, teas and lattes are available at the restaurant counter, which also serves bagels, rolls and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. Merchandise from a featured local website is also available for sale inside the store.
Java to Java's website has interactive chat that allows area residents to talk with employees and place an order for delivery or ask a question. Customers can stop in for a bite and enjoy a DVD movie in surround sound while lounging on a leather couch and sipping a latte. For those on-the-go, Java to Java offers a chance to grab a quick bite to eat while checking e-mail, typing up a document or sending out a package. Unlike other restaurants, Java to Java encourages their patrons stick around after eating, McElligot said. "We want you to come in and stay," he said, "It's a place to hang out."
Java to Java is open from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. to serve the needs of its customers. McElligot said that his staff is always willing to keep the lights on longer for someone who is not quite ready to leave. "We don't want to turn people away ... we'll stay open as long as it takes," he said.
McElligot and his staff encourage everyone to stop in and see the wide variety of services that Java to Java has to offer. For more information, call 262-9008 or visit www.javatojava.com.
