About Us

Anita Speckman, Owner

This coffee shop originally opened as The Great American Coffee Company in July, 2004. The previous owner was a coffee roaster and the shop was the first in the Bradley/Bourbonnais area. The shop developed a reputation as “the best coffee in town”.

Anita Speckman, who was born and raised in the Kankakee area, was looking to leave her corporate accounting career and return to her hometown in early 2007. She responded to a blind advertisement, only to find she worked with Pat McConnell (the previous owner) in the mid to late 1980’s. Anita and Pat worked together during the purchase to ensure the recipes and reputation of the Great American Coffee Company transitioned to Aava Java.

Anita’s career in corporate accounting focused heavily on acquisitions and software or process conversions. As a result, she traveled frequently including trips to Asia and Europe. Throughout her travels, her love of coffee took her to coffee and tea houses around the world. A good cup of coffee or tea brought with it a break from the pressures of the job as well as education about the areas she visited. It also brought conversations throughout her travels with her coworkers around the world, or the barista in the shop she visited.

These experiences impact her vision of the company she now leads. Coffee can be more than an eye-opening beverage – it can be a social event. It is a conversation starter, a break from the day, a warm hug on a cold day and a friendly smile in an unfamiliar place or on an unfriendly day. Stop by the shop or brew a pot of fresh Aava Java coffee. Sit back, relax, and begin a conversation with whoever is sitting next to you.

Join the happy customers who
regularly come to our shop.