New Orleans couple starts business in Nixa

Maria Hoover

Posted online February 1, 2006 | 11:00 pm

Ed and Debbie Kuhlman left their Jefferson Parish home in Louisiana to escape the destruction of Hurricane Katrina, seeking solace with Debbie's sister in Nixa. But that November visit has resulted in the couple's permanent relocation to the Ozarks, and the birth of their retail and wholesale coffee business, Kuhlman's Koffee.

Coffee-roasting isn't new to Ed Kuhlmann - in New Orleans, he roasted on a part-time basis, while his full-time job was as a marine cargo surveyor and inspector. When the couple decided to make their home in Nixa, he needed to find work.

“There's no marine work up here, no ships, no barges, nothing like that,” he said.

Ed Kuhlman works full time on the coffee business, with help from his wife, who works part time in sales for the company and part time as a secretary for Court Appointed Special Advocates.

While Kuhlman's Koffee initially focused on selling wholesale, in January - the same month the couple was able to move into a home of their own- the Kuhlmans opened a retail coffee shop at 1095 Falcon Crest Court. The coffee shop is open 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Customers can also access Kuhlman's Koffee online at www.wakeupjava.com.

Through the Web site, Ed Kuhlman said, he's been able to re-establish contact and sell his coffee to about 15 percent of the customers he had in New Orleans.

“A lot of people (there) can't afford it any more,” he said.

See SBJ's Feb. 6 for more on the Kuhlmans' journey from Louisiana to Missouri and the launch of their business.

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