Drive-up espresso on the way

Plans for a drive-up espresso and smoothie business at the north end of Carson City are on track for a mid-summer opening.

Java Island, featuring two drive-up and a walk-up windows, will be in the 2500 block of North Carson Street, in the parking lot between Carson-Tahoe Harley Davidson and Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers.

Jeff Wilson, who is a private consulting geologist, said Java Island is his first stab at restaurant operations, but he fully expects his concept will be successful enough in Carson City to spread to other communities.

The 11-by-23 foot building is being built in a tropical style, with a Mediterranean terra cotta exterior in colors of green and tan, he said. Coffee-based offerings will include espresso, mochas, cappuccino, lattes and and espresso-based shakes, he said.

But the second focus will be fruit smoothies, which Wilson said are the fastest growing beverage choice in California.

The smoothies and a fruit and tea freeze will give Java Island options for children whose parents are buying espresso items and also extend the Island's business through the warm seasons, Wilson said.

"I'll also have Italian sodas, Snapple, chocolate milk, biscottis, pastries in the mornings," Wilson said.

His initial plans have been reviewed by the community development and building departments and are currently being reviewed by the state pre-

manufactured building experts, he said. he said he expects to have all the necessary paperwork signed by the beginning of April and to open for business in late June or July.