James Gang Java Opens In Alexander

Alexander native Kathy “Jess” James opened her coffee and gift shop, James Gang Java, last week in Alexander, ND. The shop is located in the historic Charbonneau Township Hall building next to Alexander’s Lewis & Clark Trail Museum off Highway 85 in Alexander. An open house for the coffee shop and museum is planned for July 22.

The shop offers three blends of hot and cold gourmet coffee, coffee smoothies, Italian sodas, fruit smoothies, spiced chai tea, hot chocolate & steamers and sport tea energy drinks. James Gang Java is also a gift shop with jewelry, unique greeting cards, T-shirts and many country & cowboy themed gifts for all ages. Free WiFi will also soon be available for customers to use.

Store hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 8 am to 5 pm and Sunday 12 noon to 5 pm. The shop is open seasonally as weather dictates. “I hope to be open as early in the spring as possible and as late in the fall as possible,” stated James.

James is an Alexander graduate and attended grade school in the Lewis and Clark Trail Museum building. She is the daughter of Marilyn and Frederick James and has a brother, Kit, living south of Alexander; a sister, Bonnie, living in Williston and a sister, Sherri, in Iowa. James also has two sisters that have passed, Mary Lou and Belinda. “My grandparents, Fred & Clara James, homesteaded south of Alexander in 1905,” James said. Prior to moving back to Alexander James owned a coffee and gift shop in Medora, ND, and also spent many years in higher education and coaching at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, Dickinson State University and Montana State University-Billings.

James is very appreciative of the warm welcome back and the help she has received. “I want to thank family, friends and Renee Riggins specifically for all the help they have given me,” she said. She also enjoys meeting and getting to know the newcomers to town. “I like meeting the people from all over that come to see the museum. I enjoy bringing some joy to everyone that comes here,” she continued.

The museum is open Memorial Day to Labor Day on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. For more information on the Lewis & Clark Trail Museum call Jodi at 701-828-3857, email [email protected] or go to http://www.lewisandclarktrailmuseum.com.

James Gang Java is located at 102 Indiana Ave. East in Alexander, ND. For more information call 701-260-4363, email [email protected], go to http://www.jamesgangjava.com or like the shop on Facebook.