After working in the coffee industry for 23 years, this Hartland native has taken over Java Hut in Oconomowoc

A new owner has taken over Java Hut in Oconomowoc.

Sandy Pagel, who was born and raised in Hartland, bought the longtime coffee shop at 526 E. Wisconsin Ave. from Colleen and Jeff Hansen and re-opened in late July.

"I really like the fact that it's been in the community for 25 years or so," Pagel said. "It just seemed like a nice fit."

Pagel has worked in the coffee industry for 23 years.

"It was just time to buy my own and take that next leap," Pagel said. "I've worked for Starbucks, I've worked for Gloria Jean's. I was here when the Dunn brothers opened up in Pewaukee."

Colleen Hansen, who retired after the sale, worked at the coffee shop for 10 years before she and Jeff bought the establishment in March 2009. The couple put the shop up for sale as they planned to retire. 

"(Pagel) has worked around coffee a lot of her life," Colleen Hansen said. "It's a good fit for her. We're pretty excited that she's the one who got it. I picked her out of a lot of people because of her background. There are people who haven't had coffee shops but it's the dream that they want to have a coffee shop. But they don't know what it's like. It's not really that easy."

Pagel said she planned to purchase a roaster, as well as sell Florida-based Koffee Kult coffee at Java Hut. 

"Give me a coffee shop, and I can run it, but it's all the little things behind (the scenes) that I didn't have to necessarily take care of before. Once we get the ball rolling down the hill I don't think I'll have a problem," Pagel said. "Colleen started a great business. She had it for 10 years, and she loved it for 10 years. I think what she saw in me was the possibility to take it further and the passion to take it further."

Contact Evan Frank at (262) 361-9138 or evan.frank@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Evanfrank_LCP.