Accomplishments
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2014
Recipient of Harrison County Chamber of Commerce Most Successful New Business Award
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2016
Awarded the "Pristine in 16" award by the Corydon Bicentennial Committee and Main Street Corydon
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2017
Voted the "Best Cup of Coffee in Indiana" by the Electric Consumer Magazine and presented award by Harrison County REMC
Read the article -
2019
Celebrating 5 years of business!
Thanks to our community for all the support!
Our Story
KentJava Bar opened in December 2013 in the Historic Downtown of Corydon, Indiana. After many years of dreaming about owning my own coffee shop, one February day in 2013, I took the bold move to just do it when I spotted the perfect location on Chestnut Street. I had a vision of what I wanted it to look like and feel like and when I looked into the windows at 227 E. Chestnut Street, I knew this was the place. I knew it would need a lot of work but I was ready for the challenge.
The name "KentJava Bar" was created in my husband's memory. Kent Watson passed away with a rare type of cancer in the heart (Angio Sarcoma) in 2007 after a five year battle with the disease. He was such an inspiration to the community throughout his battle with cancer, having such a positive attitude and never giving in to the disease. The coffee shop was my way of keeping his memory alive and letting him continue to inspire people when they read about his story.
Here at KentJava Bar, we are committed to excellence by striving to provide quality coffee drinks, top-notch customer service and a safe and inviting environment, where visitors and locals of all ages can gather for work or pleasure and enjoy great coffee drinks served with a smile.
— Sherry Watson, Owner
Kent Watson Baseball Scholarship
Kent coached little league baseball for many years, prior to and during his illness, and set such a great example of sportsmanship and being a "team player" and was an inspiration to many Harrison County youth over the years. The Kent Watson Baseball Scholarship fund was established in 2007 at the Harrison County Community Foundation in Kent’s memory. If you would like to make a donation or would like more information on the Kent Watson Baseball Scholarship fund visit www.hccfindiana.org.
Meet the Staff
Loria Bailey
Supervisor
Loria began her employment with KentJava in December 2017. She is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and supervising baristas, ensuring proper techniques and instructions are followed. She has nine brothers and sisters and 15 nieces and nephews. In her free time, Loria is involved with acting and directing plays at Hayswood Theatre and teaches Sunday school at her church. Loria loves to sing and share the gospel of Christ with others. Other interests include sky diving and playing scrabble. Her favorite latte flavor is Hansel and Gretel.
Summer Borin
Weekend Supervisor
Summer is 20 years old and began her employment with KentJava as barista, in September 2018. She was promoted to supervisor, May 2019. Her responsibilities include overseeing baristas and operations Friday through Sunday. Summer studied massage therapy at Advanced Massage Therapeutics in Louisville, KY. In her free time, she loves to do arts and crafts. She is a local artisan at True North boutique in New Albany, Indiana.
Hannah Harrington
Supervisor
Hannah began her employment as barista at KentJava in October 2015 and now oversees the day-to-day operations and barista’s. She is a single mom and the oldest of five siblings. In her free time, Hannah home schools her son and participates in historical reenactments. Hannah loves working with children and meeting new people. Her hobbies include reading, writing, historical reenactment, camping and traveling.
Chloe Sieg
Part-Time Barista
Chloe joined the KentJava Family as part-time barista in June, 2019. She will be a senior at North Harrison High School this fall where she also plays soccer in her free time ("Go Lady Cats!"). She plans to seek a degree in Environmental Science after she graduates in 2020.
Amber Stark
Assistant Manager
Amber joined the KentJava team in 2014, left for a short time and returned in 2018. She was promoted to Assistant Manager in April, 2019. Amber is a certified CrossFit instructor and along with her husband, own a crossfit gym in Corydon. She graduated from Corydon Central High School and attended Indiana University Southeast where she received an accounting degree. Amber’s responsibilities include assisting with barista training, education and communication. She also assists with bookkeeping and administrative duties. Amber enjoys teaching crossfit classes and spending time with her husband and dog in her free time. Her goal is to transform the minds of people to think of health and fitness as a way of life so that they make healthier choices in their everyday living.
Peyton Watson
Lead Barista
Peyton is the daughter of Sherry Watson (owner) and has been involved with KentJava Bar since its inception in 2013. She graduated from Corydon Central High school and attended Sullivan University. She is the mother of a four year old daughter. She received her ServSafe Certification in 2018. As Lead Barista, Peyton is responsible for training new baristas, keeping staff updated on education, training and barista performance. Her responsibilities also include, educating staff on proper food handling regulations and coffee equipment maintenance. In her free time, she enjoys photography, painting, making jewelry and spending time with her daughter.
Sherry Watson
Owner/Operator
I grew up in Jeffersonville Indiana and moved to Corydon in 1977. I have four children and seven grandchildren. I was married to the late, Kent Watson who died in 2007 from a rare type of cancer in his heart (angiosarcoma). Kent inspired me to be a survivor of any circumstance and that if you work hard enough and put all your trust in God, you can achieve anything. That’s how he lived life and how he fought his battle with cancer.
I had always wanted to open a coffee shop and for many years, talked and dreamed about it. I had worked at the Harrison County Convention and Visitors Bureau for 13 years where I was the marketing manager and had earned my CDME (Certified Destination Management Executive) accreditation in 2009 from the International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (IACVB). I spent 13 years working closely with attractions and restaurants in the hospitality industry and saw many small businesses open and close. I learned a lot over the years from the successful and unsuccessful businesses and began to develop my own business plan that I thought I would never really use. I had even gave my business a name…KentJava Bar. I really can’t explain in words how it all happened other than, it was a God thing. The opportunities started opening up, one-by-one and all of a sudden one day it became clear to me that this is what God wanted me to do. I had never experienced anything so powerful in my life but there was no doubt in my mind and in my heart that this was God’s plan for me. I left my job with the Harrison County CVB in 2013 and began a new chapter in my life as an entrepreneur. I never looked back. I knew, without a doubt, that God would take care of me...and He has.