Though she kept the idea percolating on the back burner for quite some time, Samantha Yerg always wanted to open her own business – namely a coffee shop. As a busy mom and a full-time letter carrier, Yerg, of Gibsonburg, loves coffee and plenty of it (regular, not decaf, of course).

Recently, opportunity knocked. She answered.

On March 1, Samantha (Sammy Jo) will open Sammy’s Joe, and as an added perk, it will be in a location she loves – the Woodville Mall.

“I know the mall has seen some tough times, but I am hopeful for its future,” Yerg said. “I have never stopped shopping there  – I try to go there for everything I can.

“After I heard the mall was purchased by a new owner, I became intrigued about what was going to happen,” she said.

Meanwhile, in recent months, she began to think more and more about starting a business. “I got an accounting degree from Owens and then went to Lourdes College where I got dual degrees in business administration and human resource management,” she said. “I thought it might be time to put my education to use.”

She did a little research before presenting the idea to her husband. “Before I seriously pursued this, I wanted to know for sure what I was talking about,” she said. “When we discussed it, he said, ‘Let’s start looking for a place – if you want to do this, let’s do it.” When she was out and about, she looked at possible locations for her new venture.

“One day, I was in the Woodville Mall picking up a necklace that I was having repaired at Kay Jewelers and I mentioned how I’d love to open a coffee shop,” Yerg said.

“They suggested I talk to the mall manager about getting space there, so I left my name and number and they put me in touch,” she said.

“In the meantime, I looked around and thought the spot at the corner of the food court would be ideal,” she said. And that’s where Sammy’s Joe will be located - next to Citizen Tax Service across from the Deb shop.

In recent weeks, Yerg, her sister and other family members have been readying the location, cleaning and painting the walls brick red and deep mocha. Her younger brother designed and painted the logo.

“I can’t thank my family enough for all the help,” she said. “I have so many people behind me offering to help –they’ve been wonderful.”

She also spent a lot of time looking for vendors, making sure to find coffees, teas and other “extras” she likes. “That has been the fun part,” she said. “I’m calling on my years of experience as a coffee drinker – I know very well from all the places I go what I like and what I don’t like.”

On a recent morning, shoppers and those who walk the mall corridors to keep in shape could be seen slowing their strides just a bit, trying to find out what the new addition to the food court will be.

“It’s a coffee shop,” Yerg yells out, adding. “We’re opening March 1.” She has also been spreading the word to other store owners and employees in and around the mall..

The full-service coffee shop will offer regular and decaf blends of Sammy’s Joe (enjoy it hot or iced, perhaps with a shot of flavor to help chase away the late-winter doldrums), along with frappuccinos (Sammy’s Frappys), cappuccinos, lattes, steamers and assorted teas. Watch for seasonal drinks, like the Peppermint Patty, which will be available for St. Patrick’s Day.

The menu will also include smoothies in four flavors – strawberry, banana, raspberry and tri-berry. “Because there are so many walkers in this mall, I also got different protein, vitamin and energy additives for the beverages,” she said.

Don’t worry if you can’t remember which one is tall, grande or venti ¬– drinks will be available in small, medium and large. 

“The menu is a work in process,” Yerg said. “I plan to have soup, bagels and donuts or muffins – it will likely change every day.”

Sammy’s Joe will be open during mall hours, but Yerg says she’s looking into starting a little early to accommodate the mall walkers. Currently she plans for Tuesday to be Senior Citizen Day and Thursday will be Mall Employee Day, which will include special offers.

Her mail customers needn’t worry – she’ll continue her route in Oregon. “I love my job with the post office – I love the people I work with, I love my customers.

“I am also very excited about being here at the mall,” she said. “Things are looking up here, and I’m glad to be a part of it.”

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