Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Seeburger.
Hi Jamie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey to opening PJ’s Coffee of Lake St. Louis started long before the doors ever opened. In 2019, my family and I moved to the Lake St. Louis area from Edwardsville, Illinois. Edwardsville had something I didn’t fully realize I would miss until it was gone: locally owned coffee shops that felt like extensions of your living room. Places where you could meet a friend, sit for hours with a laptop, or simply exist without being rushed.
Those coffee shops were woven into my daily life. I met friends there. I worked there. I even wrote my master’s thesis sitting at a small café table, fueled by endless cups of coffee and the quiet hum of conversation around me. They weren’t just coffee shops—they were community spaces, creative spaces, and safe places to slow down.
When I moved to Lake St. Louis, I quickly noticed something missing. There wasn’t a space like that here. There were places to grab coffee, sure—but not a place to *stay*. Not a spot where you could linger, connect, work, or just breathe for a bit. And I remember thinking, *I wish this existed here.* Not just for me, but for the growing community around me.
Then 2020 happened.
The world shut down. Life paused. We were all quarantined, isolated, and forced to slow down in ways none of us expected. And oddly enough, it was during that stillness that clarity came. I knew—deep down—that when the world opened back up, people were going to crave connection more than ever. They wouldn’t just want coffee; they’d want community. A place to gather again. A place that felt warm, welcoming, and familiar.
That’s when the idea stopped being just a wish and started becoming a plan.
PJ’s Coffee stood out to me because it aligned with everything I believed a coffee shop should be. Small-batch roasted coffee from the Port of New Orleans. Deep roots. A focus on quality, consistency, and hospitality. And most importantly, a brand that understood coffee is about more than what’s in the cup—it’s about how it brings people together.
Opening PJ’s Coffee of Lake St. Louis wasn’t about filling a gap in the market. It was about creating the kind of space I had once relied on myself. A place where friendships form over lattes. Where meetings turn into brainstorming sessions. Where parents, students, teachers, first responders, and small business owners all feel equally welcome.
From the beginning, our vision was simple: serve great coffee and show up for our community.
That’s why our café is designed to invite people to stay. To sit. To talk. To work. To laugh. To gather. And that’s why community involvement isn’t an add-on for us—it’s the foundation. Supporting local schools, nonprofits, first responders, and small businesses isn’t something we do occasionally; it’s who we are.
PJ’s Coffee of Lake St. Louis exists because I once needed a place like it—and so did this community.
What started as a personal longing became a shared space. A coffee shop built out of love for good coffee, real connection, and the belief that local businesses matter.
This café isn’t just my dream—it’s *our* place. And I’m grateful every day that Lake St. Louis has made it home.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Has building PJ’s Coffee of Lake St. Louis been a smooth road? Truthfully—no.
When we opened, we had virtually no brand awareness in the St. Louis area. We were (and still are) a small, locally owned coffee café in a sea of corporate, drive‑thru‑focused coffee chains. Competing with big brands that have massive marketing budgets, instant name recognition, and the convenience of drive‑thru service has been one of our biggest challenges.
Interestingly, what I expected to be the hardest part—staffing—has actually been one of the easiest. We’ve been fortunate to build an incredible team of people who care deeply about what we’re creating here. They believe in our mission, show up with heart, and bring warmth and consistency to every guest interaction.
The real challenge has been brand awareness. Helping people understand who we are, what makes us different, and why we’re worth slowing down for takes time. That’s where consistency has mattered most.
We’ve leaned heavily into being present—both online and in our community. A fun, engaging social media presence allows us to tell our story, highlight our people, and showcase what makes PJ’s Coffee feel different. But social media alone isn’t enough.
What truly sets us apart is showing up in real life. We host events that invite people in and give them a reason to connect—Grinch events during Christmas, Galentine’s celebrations, family‑friendly gatherings, fundraisers, and so much more. These moments create memories, not just transactions.
Combined with consistent customer service and a genuine commitment to engaging with our community, those efforts have slowly but steadily built something meaningful. Growth hasn’t been instant—but it’s been real, organic, and rooted in relationships.
We’ve been impressed with PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans – Lake St. Louis is a locally owned, community-driven coffee café that blends New Orleans tradition with a strong local heartbeat. While PJ’s is a historic New Orleans brand, our Lake St. Louis location is independently owned and operated, allowing us to create a warm, welcoming space that reflects the needs of our community.
We specialize in small-batch roasted coffee sourced through the Port of New Orleans, offering a true farm-to-cup experience. We’re best known for our original cold brew, handcrafted espresso drinks, and New Orleans–inspired flavors that deliver both quality and consistency. Alongside our coffee, we offer a thoughtfully curated food menu featuring fresh breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and our signature New Orleans–style beignets—bringing an authentic taste of New Orleans to Lake St. Louis.
What sets us apart is our focus on connection. In a market dominated by corporate drive-thru coffee, we offer a place where guests are encouraged to stay—meet friends, work, gather, and feel at home. Our café is designed to be an experience, where great coffee and food pair with genuine hospitality.
What we are most proud of brand-wise is the culture we’ve built—both within our team and with our guests. PJ’s Coffee of Lake St. Louis is more than a coffee shop; it’s a gathering place rooted in hospitality, consistency, and the belief that coffee—and good food—are better when they bring people together.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Couch Side Coffee Podcast
Couch Side Coffee is a community-focused podcast hosted by Jamie Seeburger, owner and operator of PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans – Lake St. Louis. Recorded in a relaxed, conversational setting (quite literally on our couch in PJ’s Coffee), the podcast shines a spotlight on local business owners, community leaders, nonprofits, and changemakers who are making an impact in Lake St. Louis and/or the St. Louis area.
Each episode dives into the real stories behind the brands—how they started, the challenges they’ve faced, the lessons they’ve learned, and what it truly takes to build something meaningful from the ground up. The conversations are honest, approachable, and inspiring, offering listeners both motivation and practical insight into entrepreneurship, leadership, and community involvement.
A signature element of the show is the “What Are We Drinking?” segment, where guests share their favorite PJ’s Coffee beverage, blending Jamie’s passion for coffee with authentic storytelling. The podcast emphasizes collaboration over competition, highlighting how local businesses can grow stronger by supporting one another.
Couch Side Coffee is more than a podcast—it’s an extension of the PJ’s Coffee mission. It exists to foster connection, celebrate local stories, and remind listeners that behind every business is a person, a dream, and a lot of perseverance. Grab a cup of coffee, get comfortable, and join the conversation.
Pricing:
- PJ’s Coffee Espresso shots are 2 ounce shots which means more bang for your buck. The industry standard is 1oz shots
Contact Info:
- Website: https://locations.pjscoffee.com/mo/lakest-louis/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pjscoffeelakesaintlouis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PJsCoffeeLakeSaintLouis
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi4Krx22ZDkXsM1EbaRHkmR-4EhBm5ZgR
