This Ninja delivers

“Kinda nuts.” That’s how Jj SunDance describes the response to his forthcoming delivery business, Cville CoffeeNinja. “In the first day [on Facebook], I had 250 friend requests,” he says, “and 10 people trying to order.” That’s a little funny, SunDance thinks, for a business that isn’t even up and running yet, but he says he’s doing his best to get everything in order.

The CoffeeNinja plans to offer fresh-brewed java and espresso, with weekly specials and an option to choose your own flavor, right from his van. You place your order—by phone, e-mail, Facebook or Twitter—and SunDance shows up, pours the coffee on site and brings it right to your desk. He thinks he’ll eventually have donuts and homemade breakfast sandwiches, too.

For now, with all the proper licensing in place and the coffee supplier secured, SunDance is focused on finding the right vehicle. That shouldn’t be a problem, considering transportation is kind of his thing. The owner of SunDance Logistics, he provides consulting on shipping, freight management and compliance with federal import-export laws. His current day job doesn’t involve coffee—beyond drinking it regularly—but, he says, “The response [to CoffeeNinja] has been so huge that I can’t turn my head from it.”

True brew

Beer fans, rejoice! Master brewers from Devils Backbone, Blue Mountain, Starr Hill and South Street breweries are uniting on July 16 to create a special beer for the Brew Ridge Trail Music Festival. The brew, to be bottled at Starr Hill and sold at the four breweries, might even be entered into the Great American Beer Festival. This is big news for anyone who’s been following the local beer scene: All four local breweries have won prestigious beer-centric awards within the past year. Translation? Our mouths are watering for their upcoming über-brew.

Big change for Littlejohn’s

Franchise alert! Anyone who’s been hanging around the Corner sub shop lately has noticed its subtle announcement on the napkin holders: Perennial Best Of C-VILLE favorite Littlejohn’s New York Delicatessen is branching out. Says owner Chris Strong, the idea to franchise has been in the works for 10 years, as alumni would return to town wishing for a Littlejohn’s where they lived.

After two years of legal wranglings, Strong says, they’re now able to advertise the program. So far, there are two interested parties in Virginia, but Restaurantarama suspects there soon may be many more.

Outside The Box

A March 7 stabbing incident on the Mall has precipitated some heightened security at The Box, says owner Chas Webster. A bouncer at the Second Street bar ejected patron Yolando Arvizu following an altercation with another Box customer. The stabbing occurred on the Mall shortly after that and Arvizu was arrested in front of C&O Restaurant that night. He pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding two weeks ago.

Says Webster, because of the incident—and the venue’s reputation for rowdy crowds—weekends are now exclusively for private parties. “We’ve distributed cards to friends, family and regulars,” he says, making the hot spot essentially invitation-only. Not a friend of The Box? Webster says anyone’s free to walk in during the week, providing they’re in possession of an ID and some sobriety.