Coffee Costs Up 30%, Electricity Bills Double for Virginia Small Business Owner

Tappahannock, Virginia, sits in the eastern portion of the state's 1st Congressional District, where residents face rising living costs ahead of the midterm elections.

Jeans Owens, who has owned Java Jacks for eight years, reports that her coffee prices have increased by more than 30% since 2022. The cost of basic supplies has also climbed sharply. Owens noted that takeout boxes that once cost 12 cents now cost nearly 30 cents. Combined cup, lid, and straw costs have jumped from about 3 cents to more than 20 cents.

Utilities represent another heavy burden for the riverside cafe. Owens stated that her monthly electricity bill, which typically ranges between $450 and $500, has recently exceeded $1,000. To manage expenses, she purchases milk and juice from a local Walmart in the early morning instead of using a supplier. She also compares prices among three different vendors to secure the lowest costs for ingredients.

Customer behavior reflects the economic pressure as well. Owens observes that senior citizens increasingly share orders, a trend that has become common in recent years. Staff tips also fluctuated with gas prices, dropping when fuel costs rose and recovering when they fell. Despite these adjustments, Owens maintains that some menu items remain at $10 to stay accessible to her loyal base.

Labor shortages pose the greatest challenge for Owens, who also operates a coffee location across the river in Warsaw. Median income in the area hovers around $50,000 annually, making housing and transportation difficult for her employees. Owens has helped staff find housing and occasionally places them in motels. She carpooling with approximately five employees who lack reliable transportation. Owens has taken on kitchen shifts, leaving front-of-house duties and paperwork for evenings and days off.

Jameka Campbell, an office manager at the Menokin historical site in Richmond County, manages her personal finances through a detailed coupon strategy. She uses the Walgreens app to track sales and rewards, aiming to spend only $100 per month on household supplies. On a recent shopping trip, Campbell purchased toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and personal care items for $60.04. She saved $27.71 by applying rewards and buying bulk items during special promotions.

Campbell works two jobs while raising two children. She describes her financial status as middle ground, noting that her economic position could shift rapidly. She plans to research candidates in the upcoming election, specifically looking at their property ownership and living standards to determine if they represent her interests. If she feels they do not, she intends to vote them out.

The 1st District race pits Republican incumbent Rob Wittman against Democrat Shannon Taylor. Owens, who is running for the non-partisan town council in Tappahannock, hopes the winner will understand the struggles of local small businesses. She summarizes the current situation for her business with one blunt statement: "We're struggling."