St. George's town crier E. Michael Jones and his wife Eleanor.

The Joneses took over the coffee shops on Tuesday.

"I always wanted to own something in Hamilton as well as St. George's,'' said Mr. Jones of why the couple got into the coffee business.

The coffee shops were an appealing venture because they don't require vast amounts of inventory or retail space, he said.

"I talked to the former owners who were selling and we were able to strike a deal,'' Mr. Jones said. "Now I am in the cyber cafe business.'' Caffe Latte's St. George's location -- which is the bigger of the two -- has been operating as an Internet cafe for some time and has four computers in place.

However, the Joneses also intend to add computer terminals to the Hamilton branch, located above Washington Mall.

In addition to Internet and coffee, Caffe Latte also offers catering services.

Mr. Jones said that while he would oversee the business he did not intend to be involved with it all day, every day. "I expect to get a team together to manage it,'' he said.

While declining to disclose the financial details of his new purchase, Mr.

Jones did say he got a "very attractive price for a very attractive product''.

Caffe Latte's former owners were Bruce and Cathy Benevides.

The Benevides ran the Hamilton location for seven years and added St. George's four years ago. Mrs. Benevides said that they originally had two other partners in the business.

The Benevides elected to sell the business because they are moving to Toronto with their children. Mrs. Benevides said she wanted to broaden her children's horizons.

"This is the best coffee this side of Colombia,'' said Mr. Jones of his new business venture.

And he pointed out that Caffe Latte is the only certified provider of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee on the Island.

BUSINESS BUC