A Second JoJo’s Espresso Café is Brewing at Methodist Germantown Hospital

Though smaller than the original, the new JoJo's will retain the charm and warmth of the debut café.
A Second JoJo's Espresso Café is Brewing at Methodist Germantown Hospital
Rendering: By brg3s architects, courtesy of JoJo’s Espresso on Facebook

A beloved Germantown coffee shop is expanding with a second location.

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JoJo’s Espresso owners Taylor and Hannah Whiddon recently announced plans to open a café at 7691 Poplar Ave, inside Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital. The new location will occupy the former gift shop space, right next to the hospital’s welcome desk.

For the Whiddons, Methodist Germantown holds deep personal significance. Hannah began her nursing career there, and it’s where three of their four boys were born—including their late son, Josiah, affectionately known as “JoJo,” after whom JoJo’s Espresso is named.

The story of JoJo’s dates back to 2018, when the Whiddons learned that Josiah had hypoplastic left heart syndrome while Hannah was pregnant. After his birth, Josiah was airlifted to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, where his life was initially saved. Following seven weeks of complications, Josiah passed away on December 27, 2018.

In the wake of Josiah’s passing, the Whiddons found solace in their favorite caffeinated beverage and decided to start their own coffee trailer. They sold personal belongings to purchase a high-quality espresso machine, and JoJo’s Espresso officially launched as a mobile café in July 2020.

After experiencing unprecedented success, the Whiddons opened their first brick-and-mortar location in Germantown’s Thornwood development two years later, marking the end of their mobile operations.

The new Methodist Germantown café will be about a third the size of the original 830-square-foot location and will not offer seating. Despite its small layout, Taylor told What Now Memphis that the space will be cozy and inviting. “The coffee shop will feel just like our shop at Thornwood,” he said. “Same aesthetic and same vibe.”

The menu, too, will feature familiar favorites. Expect JoJo’s signature drinks—such as the bourbon mocha, bourbon vanilla latte, and salted caramel macchiato—alongside seasonal specials and the usual pastries from Palmer House Bakery. A grab-and-go section will be available for hospital visitors and staff.

Methodist is covering the buildout costs, leaving JoJo’s responsible only for equipment purchases. Construction started this week, and the café is set to open in early February 2025. It will operate Monday through Friday, though exact hours are still to be determined.

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