Nathan and Brad sit down with Grant Austin, manager of Baba Java’s original Hoover cafe. Grant shares his journey from growing up in Alabama, training as a machinist, to stepping into coffee full-time. He talks about transitioning from Meadowbrook (under Jayson) to managing Hoover, the challenges of running a busy cafe, and what makes Hoover special, from long-time regulars to its broad customer mix and strong community feel.
You’ll hear about his love for coffee (Ethiopia and PNG are favorites), playing guitar in Rush of Fools, balancing life with his wife Maddie (a teacher), and some memorable cafe stories (including a runaway dog and an underclothed man).
This episode highlights the heart, hospitality, and hard work behind one of Baba Java’s key locations.