Josh Bella started his coffee career as the co-owner of the Common House, a co-working and mobile coffee bar concept in Independence, but soon he decided to pursue coffee full time. Last year, he opened a West Coast-themed pop-up coffee shop, The Slow Bar, inside the Jones Gallery in the Crossroads. Now he has partnered with Jason Provo, owner of Blackhole Bakery, on a series of espresso bar and pastry concepts that will be located inside established businesses, retail shops, and community spaces. The first location for Novella opened in December in the West Bottoms where Bella and Provo subleased a space inside Charmed House Interiors, a multi-story red-brick building filled with home décor. The two partners plan to do a series of Novella espresso bar locations, including one that opened in January inside of the Mid-Continent Public Library located in the Northland. That location has a Culinary Center featuring a full commercial kitchen space, the first of its kind in the region, which will help people learn about food preparation, nutrition, and food culture. Follow on Instagram @novellacafes.