On a sunny day in May 2023, then 21-year-old Lexi Jayne Gabbert celebrated the grand opening of her business, Jitters by Jayne.
Hundreds of local residents buzzed to the newest addition to Ninth Street. Greeting each customer with a smile, Gabbert felt she had accomplished her biggest dream yet. Little did she know it was just the beginning.
Gabbert started working in the coffee industry at sixteen in Walla Walla, Wash. After high school, she moved to Idaho to study Elementary Education at Boise State. While at university, she began to work at the Starbucks located in the Student Union Building.
Each pump of syrup, drop of espresso and sprinkle of cinnamon became the highlight of Gabbert’s day as a student. She loved connecting with her community through each cup.
Though she planned on becoming a teacher, an idea still lingered in the back of her mind — what if she opened her own coffee shop?
“It seemed so unreasonable at first, but I knew it was what I was meant to do,” Gabbert said. “I eventually came to the conclusion that it wasn’t if anymore, but when, and I took the leap of faith and unenrolled [from the university].”
The young entrepreneur’s motivation outweighed her stress as she worked multiple jobs and saved every penny toward her goal.
“It was insane trying to gather all of the ingredients and supplies I needed,” Gabbert said. “My sister worked for this amazing coffee roaster company in Oregon [called] Holderness Coffee Roasters. I trusted their brand and really started building my shop and taste around them.”
It was a never-ending search for the perfect storefront. The process of “adult logistics” began for the young businesswoman.
“It was so hard to navigate licensing, landlords and just being taken seriously at my age,” Gabbert said. “I started looking at Facebook groups and this location just fell into my lap. I mean, it was perfect. I couldn’t have been more lucky.”
Gabbert quickly fell in love with the hustle and bustle of Ninth Street. Located in the heart of Downtown, she encountered one of the most important questions of her career: what would be the perfect name?
The 23-year-old brainstormed memorable name ideas to attract Boiseans on their daily coffee runs.
“My mom thought of jitters, because you know, caffeine,” Gabbert laughed. “My middle [name] is Jayne, and Jitters by Jayne sounds a lot better than Jitters by Lexi. We added that double ‘J’, and the business was born.”
Gabbert and her team stocked the shelves with all of the equipment, ingredients and decor within a day, adorning the front window with her personal logo.
Gabbert faced skepticism from the public as a young small business owner.
“Some people think this business was handed to me or that my parents bought it for me,” Gabbert said. “It kinda hurts to hear that, but I know the truth. I know the work and passion I have, and I can’t fight every negative comment.”
However, Gabbert also found resounding support from those who stop by her shop.
“Everyone here is so nice,” she said. “We get tons of support from the community, and I try to make it as cozy as I can in here. The best compliment I’ve ever received was when a customer told me they feel safe in here, and our staff feels like best friends — it makes me emotional even repeating it.”
Gabbert strives to create a comfortable environment within her business, prioritizing the needs of her employees.
“Lexi is the best boss I’ve ever had, and working here completely changed my life for the better,” Maddie Lawrence, barista, said. “Every day is amazing, all of my coworkers are my besties. I remember just crying happy tears when I realized this is where I’m supposed to be.”
From finding the perfect location to choosing a name, Jitters by Jayne is a labor of love for Gabbert. Beyond the history, the shop’s sense of familiarity is what keeps people coming back.
“I come here all the time, and I feel so at ease when I walk in. The decor, the lighting, it’s just a wonderful place,” Carley Grayber, a regular customer, said. “It’s completely obvious the owner is passionate about her business, and I can definitely see her going far. She deserves everything she’s worked for.”
