Former student designs Pizano’s, Jeremiah Joe’s
By Aimee Zehrung
IV Leader Staff, Nov. 13, 2003
Some people may be curious about whose ideas sparked the designs for the new food vendors, Jeremiah Joe Coffee and Pizano’s. The answer is Julee Tranchita.
Tranchita, a former IVCC nursing student, designed Jeremiah Joe Coffee in both the cafeteria and the Ottawa location as well as the newly opened Pizano’s, also in the cafeteria.
Tranchita graduated from IVCC with a nursing degree. She said, “Nursing was my open door to independence having recently been divorced and having two small children to raise. It’s practical and necessary to continue in nursing while developing this growing part of my life.”
Tranchita got her start with Jeremiah Joe Coffee when church friends approached her with the idea of their coffee shop in Ottawa. They had seen some of her work and found her idea coincided with what they wanted for the design of their shop.
She submitted some logo ideas and they selected the “fedora” (hat logo). They liked this idea so much that they continued using her ideas for future designs. Tranchita’s inspiration for this design came from a collaboration of her ideas with the owners’ original thoughts regarding the design.
Tranchita has received many positive reactions to the big city feeling in a small town environment. City officials have incorporated a stop at Jeremiah Joe Coffee in their city tours of Ottawa. A diverse crowd makes it a part of their daily routine to stop in to the Ottawa location and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.
Tranchita currently owns her own studio, Juli et Studio in Ottawa. She works on commercial set designs, residential designs, murals, faux finishes, original works on canvas, and logos. She explains, “My work exhibits an energy which originated from my life experiences, born equally in sorrow and joy. I am personally intrigued by the way color and design affects people and their emotions.”
She added, “I can’t tell you how exciting it is to be back at IVCC,…in the same room I cried and prayed over test results. Now to see these walls, covered with joyful expressions, saying to me and all the world that there is a future and a hope. This is the time to celebrate.”
Students can see Tranchita’s work and experience the big city feeling at a small town college in the IVCC cafeteria.