About Hot Java Express
Local roots. A Sterling tradition. A new chapter.
Hot Java Express has been part of the Sterling community for nearly 30 years. This December, we’re proud to celebrate our 30th anniversary—a milestone made possible by generations of loyal customers, dedicated employees, and a community that has supported Hot Java along the way. What began as a local coffee shop has grown into a familiar stop for great coffee, breakfast on the go, lunch with a friend, and plenty of familiar faces.
In June 2026, Steve and Lori Smith became the new owners of Hot Java Express. For us, taking ownership wasn’t about changing what Hot Java has always been. It was about carrying forward a Sterling tradition while finding new ways to help it grow.
Our roots in this area run deep. Lori grew up near Merino and Willard, and Steve and Lori have called the Sterling area home together for the past 14 years. We believe local businesses are an important part of what makes a community feel like a community, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to be part of Hot Java’s next chapter.
We’re especially thankful for the employees and customers who have made Hot Java what it is today. Whether you’ve been stopping by for years or you’re visiting us for the first time, we want Hot Java to continue to be a place where you’re greeted with a smile, your favorites are waiting, and you feel right at home.
Same Hot Java. Same hometown spirit. A new chapter—and we’re excited to see where it goes.