7/26/07
At Jackie’s Coffee Bar and Cafe, this woman is doin’ it for herself
By Cathy Gilbert

CATHY GILBERT/Manning Times

Jackie’s Coffee Bar and Café proprietor Jackie Lewis, (right) carefully makes a latte from behind the bar. Her niece and right-hand woman, Iesha Hilton, observes the barista’s technique.

Jackie Lewis is one of those women who never let’s the dust settle on her.

With a smile that would light a room, she is the proprietor of Jackie’s Coffee Bar and Café, located inside Manning’s Studio 1916 on Mill Street.

When Studio 1916 owner Jeffrey Black was looking for a new barista to serve up the highly addictive coffee drinks, Jackie responded to an ad. The arrangement worked out so well that Black offered the coffee side of the business to Lewis and she quickly went from being the “hired help” to being her own businesswoman.

“I always wanted to do my own thing,” the 39-year-old Manning High School graduate said. “God just ordered my steps and when the time was right, He provided the opportunity.”

Under the new name of “Jackie’s Coffee Bar and Café,” Lewis expanded the business to include a breakfast menu, a tasty array of sandwiches, salads and twice weekly hot lunches. Of course, she is still whipping up concoctions like lattes, cappuccinos, espressos and mochas, as well as frozen delights like Creamices, smoothies and milkshakes.

“I like trying to come up with things that my customers will like,” she said. “It’s fun to search for new recipes and try them out.

Lewis will also open her area up for small parties like showers or luncheons. Several cozy tables have been added just in front of the coffee bar and the “in the window” seating is still available.

Lewis, who previously worked for four years for Catering for All Occasions, will also cater events outside of the Coffee Bar.

“Any one who needs something done, I can do it,” Lewis said with a huge grin.

Lest anyone think it’s a one-woman show, Lewis has a veritable army of family members who are ready to step in at times of need.

Number one on that list is Lewis’ niece, Iesha Hilton. The 19-year-old is also holding down a job at the Manning Wal-Mart but puts in at least five days a week behind the bar. Hilton also serves as a downtown courier as Lewis offers delivery to downtown businesses.

This hard-working and ambitious 39-year-old is a single mother of a 13-year-old son, Rashawn, a rising eighth grader at Manning Junior High School. She is also very active in her church, Church of God by Faith, and credits that faith with her success.

“And don’t forget Dexter,” she said. “He’s my baby.”

Dexter is Lewis’ 9-month-old cockapoo puppy and one very lucky dog.