After 15 years of owning Java Joes Coffeehouse in downtown Des Moines, Joe and Cyndy Coppola have sold the café to Amy Brehm of Brehm Inc.

“We’re still gung-ho on downtown Des Moines,” Joe Coppola said. “It has taken a fabulous direction, and there’s huge potential in housing. We and the Brehms see excellent opportunities to continue to develop. We’re passionate about the coffee business and about the community.”

The sale closed on Dec. 1. Coppola said he has been in the sales process for six to eight months.

“Cyndy, who owned 60 percent of the business, has developed other interests. Her family has interests in Fort Dodge; there’s a farm they operate as a family,” Coppola said. “Her father passed away, so she has become more involved in that. It was time to pass the baton and pursue other interests.”

Brehm, who owns an ice cream shop in Ankeny, said she is “very excited” about taking over ownership of Java Joes.

“We saw it as a great opportunity,” she said. “It’s a great and unique venue.”

Brehm said she plans on keeping the downtown coffeehouse as is, including the name and the Fourth Street Theater. The only change will be an introduction of ice cream from her Ankeny store.

Coppola, who will still own the three-story building, said he plans on converting the upper floors to housing.

The Coppola family still has a major ownership interest in the former Kirkwood Hotel, owns the Randolph Hotel and the Grand Trees Apartments across from the governor’s mansion, and has other commercial leases in downtown Des Moines.