TNJN Spotlight: Cocoa Moon owner helps community
Javier Lopez has always wanted to be a successful business owner. It was his life’s dream and passion. His wish would be fulfilled one day when he became the owner of the restaurant Cocoa Moon.
Growing up in Mexico and wanting to one day own his own restaurant in an urban English speaking country was the dream of a local Knoxville business owner.
Javier Lopez has always wanted to be a successful business owner. It was his life’s dream and passion. His wish would be fulfilled one day when he became the owner of the restaurant Cocoa Moon.
Cocoa Moon is a restaurant in the heart of Knoxville’s Market square. The restaurant has more than meets the eye in the way of customers who go there and employees. Owner Javier Lopez brings new ideas to the restaurant business and uses Cocoa Moon as a way to give back to the community.
The restaurant holds many events such as: rehearsals, birthdays, graduation parties and even charity events. Lopez tries to give back to the community as best he knows how.
The restaurant has been in business for almost 7 years. Landon McIntyre is an employee at Cocoa Moon. He enjoys working for Lopez.
“When I meet Javier, at first I didn’t know how to take him,” McIntyre said. “He’s just this truly genuinely nice guy.”
Cocoa Moon is set up like a club/restaurant and is very inviting to the customers. All people who enter are greeted with warm smiles and are welcomed to sit on the couches that they will be served on.
Lopez is originally from Mexico, but has had many jobs, and has been many places. He has traveled to China, Cuba Canada, Thailand, Japan and the Philippines. His 94th stop is where he currently resides in Knoxville.
He believes in hard work and that a simple yes can change your life. Lopez wants to teach other through the restaurants to cease opportunities.
“Big chances are out there,” Lopez said.
Edited by Jessica Carr
