Karen’s Book Barn & Java Stop

A great shot of the train running through LaGrange in front of Karen's Book Barn.

Karen is the one in the middle!

Karen made history when she purchased the building on the corner of Main and Walnut in LaGrange in 1998 and created Karen’s Book Barn. Since that time, Karen has become a force in the community, with memberships and leadership in a variety of LaGrange groups. Her store offers books, a wireless hot spot and coffee, teas and gifts to consumers, author book signings and more – it also serves as a community ‘meeting room’ for Karen’s numerous projects.

The coffee shop inside the bookstore was born in 1998, when a woman named Rita approached Karen about adding “The Coffee Depot.” This endeavor lasted for two years, until the coffee shop was sold to one of Karen’s long-time friends. This sale marked the beginning of “Alena’s Java Stop.” Then, in 2004, Karen purchased the coffee shop from Alene, merged it with the bookstore and renamed the store, Karen’s Book Barn & Java Stop.

In addition to some of the best hot and cold coffee and tea drinks in town, Karen carries over 30,000 new and used books. The coffee comes from locally-roasted beans from Safai Enterprises. She also offers more than 40 syrup flavors to add that kick that many coffee-lovers crave.

Coffee syrups at the Java Stop.

Be sure to stop by when you’re in downtown LaGrange to meet Karen and her cohorts, Ruth, Ellen, Maria, Veronica and Eric. And, when college breaks allow, you also can meet Amanda, Shannon, Laura and Bridget. Plan to stay for ten minutes (or far longer), and you’ll get to meet some colorful local regulars as well!

P.S. Karen’s Book Barn & Java Stop is celebrating their 10th Anniversary.

• Location: 127 E. Main Street, LaGrange, KY 40031
• Phone: 502.222.0918
• Store Hours: 6 AM – 9 PM Mon – Fri; 9 AM – 6 PM Sat; Closed Sundays
• Web site: http://karensbookbarn.com/
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/LaGrange-KY/Karens-Book-Barn-Java-Stop/70259176168
• Email: http://karensbookbarn.com/contact

Photography: Train shot credited to Gary Knapp; other shots credited to Barbara Manley Edds.