Java Aroma Cafe on the Miracle Mile in Stockton offers coffee drinks, smoothies, pastries and a place to just hang out. Owner Troy Burke, with a handful of coffee beans, makes the drinks and greets the customers. (Jennifer M. Howell/News-Sentinel)

Funky Java Aroma coffee house keeps drinks original, fresh and fun

The '50s essence of Java Aroma, with its vintage marquee, lounge areas, old-time theater and fluorescent pink, acoustic ceiling makes the coffee hub one of the best hangouts around. It's a place where briefcase-toting business men who drink black coffee can mingle with the punk rock youths who down milkshake-like mochas after high-energy concerts.

Above a shaded outdoor area where customers sit, is the marquee of Stockton's Empire Theater. Local bands like A Skylit Drive and The Panic Division are performers at the venue that offers trendy high school students a place to watch shows for as little as $10.

The music playing throughout the coffeehouse changes regularly, but it always adds to the atmosphere. Just before noon on a recent Tuesday, the raspy voice of Amy Winehouse sang for the few coffee and tea drinkers who sat alone, focused on glowing laptop screens.

"It's a great atmosphere for studying or relaxing on couches or at tables," owner Troy Burke said.

Troy Burke, 26, opened the Miracle Mile Java Aroma two years ago with his wife, Rosann.

"This is my baby," Troy Burke said.

The cafe offers drinks like this grasshopper. (Jennifer M. Howell/News-Sentinel)

He is a self-professed Lodi boy, a graduate of Tokay High School's class of 1999. His sister, Taren Burke, owns the original Java Aroma at 2233 Grand Canal Boulevard in Stockton.

When Troy and Rosann Burke first decided to open a cafe on the Miracle Mile, the entire building was a theater. What is now a booming cafe was only the lobby and box office for the Empire.

After painting the funky, multi-layered ceiling, adding colorful lighting, couches and lounge areas, the old building transformed into Java Aroma. Still intact are the sets of double doors that lead to a movie theater-like performance area.

"Ghetto fabulous." That is how Jessamya Borba, the high-energy, friendly barista described the building before Troy Burke took it over. "It's a lot better now than when it was a movie theater."

Borba didn't only work at the theater, but she became a regular at Java Aroma during its early days.

"I used to hang out every day and night," she said. "Then I figured I should get paid for it.

It was at the original location on Grand Canal that Troy Burke first learned how to make drinks like the Chunky Monkey Frappé (a mocha with real banana blended, topped with whipped cream, chocolate and caramel) and the Grasshopper Frappé (mocha blended with creme de menthe and topped with chocolate sauce and whipped cream).

There is brewed coffee each day, espresso-based drinks and tea creations.

Java Aroma also sells smoothies made with fresh fruit and juice. One of the most popular smoothies is the Starburst: strawberries, peaches and banana blended with lemonade. Other smoothies include peachy paradise, blackberry squeeze and blueberry delight.

Whether you want fruity, coffee, blended, green tea, hot, cold or steamed, Troy Burke said part of the fun of being an independent cafe is that customers can make up pretty much any drink they want. If you can think of it; chances are, you can get it.

It's with choices in coffee and pastries, an inviting atmosphere and friendly staff who love the coffee business that is helping Java Aroma thrive.

"All of the other coffee shops have come and gone, but we've been around for a while," said Troy Burke, who doesn't plan on going anywhere but up.

Contact Feature Writer Lauren Nelson at laurenn@lodinews.com.