PHOTOS: GRACE STUFKOSKY | In a world where retail often feels impersonal and automated, Jen Keenan has built something radically different in the high desert of Northern Arizona: a sanctuary that treats both coffee and vinyl as sacred, tactile rituals. As the driving force behind Queen B Vinyl Café, Keenan isn’t just selling lattes and records; she is curating an immersive sensory experience that challenges the “grab-and-go” culture of modern consumption.
From hosting “Goth Proms” for local homeschoolers to launching a subscription club that pairs dark roasts with obscure albums, her approach redefines what it means to be a community hub. In this exclusive conversation with TVD, Keenan reveals how she transformed a former church into a cultural haven, why sustainability is non-negotiable, and how a deep emotional connection to music saved her during her darkest times. This interview offers a masterclass in building a business with soul, starting with the spark that ignited it all.
What inspired you to create Queen B Vinyl Café, blending music, coffee, and community?
The Queen B Vinyl Café was originally Puscifer, our store in Jerome, AZ. Because we have the record store and a wine bar in there—since we also make wine—I feel like the coffee just came along organically. It’s very similar to wine, with the different varietals and flavors depending on where it’s grown. We were interested in doing coffee from that perspective.
We didn’t own the building in Jerome, so we knew at some point we would have to move. When the building came up in Cottonwood, we decided to look. It’s an old church, and when I walked in, I thought, “This is it. This is home.” We decided to move it and give Puscifer a little more separation from the band, so it became Queen B. Now we have the perfect place for the coffee.
How does your personal passion for music and coffee influence the vision and atmosphere of the café?
There’s not a lot to do in this area—I’ve been here for about 20 years. The wine industry has brought in more, but there’s still not much for young people. I wanted to create a place that had some culture and bring bands here.
My music taste is eclectic. I decided that since I can’t see these bands anywhere else nearby—some of the ones I like are two hours away in Phoenix—I’m just going to start bringing them here. I’ve been very lucky that a lot of bands have been open to coming a little out of the way.
With our record store, we keep it curated. I want independent music, smaller bands, and interesting stuff—not things that are pumped into every retail shop. The coffee is the same. We were definitely into dark roasts, but as we got into coffee more, we evolved into lighter, medium roasts. We try to highlight that and show people it doesn’t always have to be burnt and dark to be enjoyable.
What role does Northern Arizona’s unique culture and community play in shaping the identity of Queen B Vinyl Café?
It’s become a place known for offering something different. I think that piques people’s interest. Even someone who is normally a “meat and potatoes” kind of person might think, “That’s just odd enough that I’m going to go check it out at least once.”
Because we have such variety, I hope they find that “different” does not mean “scary,” and that they find something they can relate to or enjoy. We’ve tried to make it a community space—no judgment, come as you are. Even if they don’t resonate with exactly what our culture is, they understand they are welcome.
Vinyl and coffee are both deeply sensory experiences. How do you see these two worlds complementing each other in your café?
It’s very immersive because it’s tactile. Making coffee is a ritual; it takes time. We don’t use a drip machine, so it’s a process. It’s the same with records. You have to be intentional with how you handle them. You have to interrupt whatever you’re doing to flip it over. Both are immersive, tactile experiences.
Your Coffee Club pairs curated vinyl with coffee on a monthly basis. What’s the story behind this concept, and how do you choose the perfect record to accompany each package?
It started for Maynard and me because we both grew up during the Columbia House record days. It was fun to get music in the mail. Mystery blind boxes are such a big deal in retail right now, and I think people love the excitement. Coffee and music seem to go together—at least in our household.
I pick records that people may not have heard of but are significant enough that they need to be shared with all the members. I try to cover all genres.
What has been the initial reaction of the early adopters who joined the coffee club first?
So far, everyone’s been really happy with it. We did throw in one curveball for fun—a decaf bag. That one had mixed reviews, but it was more of a statement: “We’ve always been against decaf, but we actually made one that tasted good, so just give it a try.”
As far as the music, I’ve gotten exciting reviews. People say, “I have never heard of this, but I absolutely love it, and now it’s in my continuous playlist.” The members who have joined are mostly followers of what we’ve been doing over the years, so there’s already built-in trust that we won’t go too far out there.
Running a dual-purpose venue like Queen B Vinyl Café must come with its challenges. What have been some of the biggest hurdles, and how have you overcome them?
A lot of it involved permitting because the city was like, “I’ve never heard of this.” People also asked, “What do you mean you can get your haircut and get a burger? How does that work?” We have a barbershop, a seamstress, and print-on-demand services. Once people get there and see it, they can wrap their heads around it and think, “Oh, this is great.”
What has been the most rewarding moment since opening the café?
I have to say, the community we’ve started bringing together. I wanted it to be a neighborhood café, and the community was overwhelmingly welcoming with arms stretched out.
I’ve seen a lot of younger people coming in. My daughter is getting to an age where she wants to hang out with friends, and knowing they have a safe place to go—that is actually a cool place—has been really good.
Queen B Vinyl Café is an official Record Store Day participant and hosts various events. How do these initiatives contribute to building a sense of community?
We have a lot of local acts that we invite. We are very much a safe space for all genders, religions, and ages. We try to span all genres and art forms—we have poetry, book signings, and even a “Death Café” that one of our locals holds bimonthly. We’ve really tried to embrace everything a community would need and let them know they have a space for it. Record Store Day and music just bring people together anyway.
What’s been your favorite event or performance at the café so far, and why?
If I had to pick one, I would say the Goth Prom. We had some local bands and one from LA. There are a lot of homeschool students around here, and their parents brought them. They were excited to finally go to a school dance. Everyone in the community dressed to the nines to come to this thing. That was a huge one for me.
We do get a few larger known bands, which have been exciting, and some of my very favorite ones that I thought, “No way they’re gonna play here.”
Your coffee is roasted in-house and sourced through local Fair Trade brokers. Why is sustainability important to you, and how do you incorporate it into your business practices?
A lot of the reason we started wine and our other ventures here is to have sustainability. We can’t necessarily grow coffee in Arizona, but if we can at least keep it sustainable for the communities we’re buying from and roast it here, we are sustaining it locally. It’s just important, given the way the world is, to keep it local as much as you can.
How do you balance offering high-quality, ethically sourced products while keeping them accessible to your customers?
We try to keep it small—more of a boutique style. We aren’t trying to have six stores across the country. We focus on being here and focusing on the local community. I think it makes it more manageable for our customers as well.
What are your long-term goals for Queen B Vinyl Café? Are there any exciting new projects or expansions on the horizon?
We’ve been doing a pop-up sushi night at the café, which has been very successful, so we’re kicking around the idea of a standalone building right down the street for Queen B Sushi. We also have a gin project.
I have it in my mind that someday we’ll be able to add a second level to the building to provide more space for shows. And I’m curious—would you join a tea and vinyl club if that was an option?
If you could collaborate with any artist or musician to create a special event or product for the café, who would it be and why?
I am trying to get Clown Core, which is a super big dream. I can’t even get through to them. That would be one.
I actually just booked a couple that I never expected: Evicshen (Victoria Shen), an experimental artist I booked for May, and Ghost Bath. There’s another band, mostly Arizona-based, called Pig City. They’re a smaller band, and I’ve always wanted them to play, but I can’t quite get them to commit yet. So, if they’re listening, give me a chance!
What’s your go-to coffee order and favorite vinyl record of all time?
I love the spiced cortado, which is more seasonal, but I also love a regular cortado.
For vinyl, I would say one of my all-time favorites is Mass VI by Amenra. The music is so emotional. I went through a very hard time when I was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, and I couldn’t listen to music because it was too emotional for what I was going through. There was a whole year when I couldn’t listen to much music, especially that album. I missed it so much. That is one that will always be super dear to me.
If you could describe Queen B Vinyl Café in three words, what would they be?
Community, culture, and immersive.
Here’s your chance to find out what all of the buzz is about!
Enter to win Queen B Vinyl Café’s Coffee of the Month Single Bag & Vinyl Package by following both @vinyldistrict and @queenbvinylcafe on Instagram. Comment here and tag two friends to be entered in the giveaway. We’ll choose one winner a week from today, February 26, 2026!
