CLEARWATER – A coffeehouse located in what was once a citrus storage warehouse is supposedly haunted by the ghost of a young African-American man who shows himself on a regular basis.
The building at 705 Franklin St. was constructed in the 1920s and now houses other businesses besides The Junction.
Once called Java Junction, the coffeehouse houses the ghostly figure nicknamed “JJ,” after the former establishment’s original name.
The apparition causes cookware to move for no reason. Once a cup flew across the kitchen and struck a worker in the head.
Owner Robin Loesberg said the ghost makes himself known in many ways, and once even kissed her on the ear.
“It’s a phenomenon that cannot be explained,” she said. “We see him several times a week, and sometimes not for a long time.”
There is no record of anyone dying in the building, but some believe that JJ might have been a worker back when citrus farms abounded in Clearwater.
The building was used by the Orange Belt, Seaboard and Atlantic Coastline railroads over the years.
The tracks have since been moved.
“Another theory is that JJ was a homeless man or migrant worker who died here,” Loesberg said.
One employee named Stacy said she and two others were at the bar one night after closing hours when suddenly three of a line of cups began shaking.
She swears the movement was not caused by a vibration or the wind.
“It was my first encounter with JJ,” said Stacy, a singer.
One man who was sleeping in a rear room behind the stage was so scared that he ran out the door.
“He was sleeping and suddenly it became very cold in the room,” Stacy said. “He freaked out.”
Loesberg, meanwhile, said she feels the ghost brushing her shoulder or making himself known in other ways.
“He is sort of a protector, a comforting spirit,” she said. “He probably was here in life and has unfinished business.”
The building itself reeks of age. There is no attic and open beams line the ceiling area.
So where does JJ hide when not scaring employees and customers?
“Who knows,” Stacy said. “He’s just here, and he certainly makes himself known.”
