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Cafe at heart of Chilhowee
CHILHOWEE, Nov 03, 2009 (The Daily Star-Journal - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
Lisa England said she and boyfriend Jeff Schwartz consider their Chilhowee Cafe a vital part of the town of slightly more than 300.
"The people here depend on us," England said. "We know there are those who haven't been feeling well and if we don't see them, someone goes over to check on them."
England said senior citizens receive a kind of meals on wheels from the cafe.
"We take them a lunch and make sure they get something to eat," she said. "They depend on that meal."
Cafe changes are small since the couple took over in May. They replaced dark paneling with corrugated tin that comes halfway up the wall, and reupholstered brown chairs to navy blue. The former owner, Connie Tate, still works at the cafe.
England said she added a children's menu: a menu item and sides for less than $4.
"It's growing in popularity," England said.
Although cleaning is constant, regulars tend to help.
"You never know who will get up and help with bussing tables when we get slammed," she said.
England said coffee regulars sometimes show up before the cafe opens at 7 a.m. They tend to get their own coffee if she is busy.
Kathleen Selig is a regular who moved to Chilhowee in May. She said her children attend school two blocks away and she uses the cafe as her college study hall, with wireless service at her fingertips.
"Without the corner store and the cafe, I'm not sure where the town would be," Selig said. "You have to have these businesses to make the towns."
The cafe employs England's family, Tate and waitress Kay Blackburn. England said running the cafe is a lot of work, but, "I've always liked to cook and liked people."
Selig is a fan of the Thursday Mexican night when her family eats for under $40.
"Where else can I take my family out for supper and feed them well for that kind of price?" Selig said. "I can even take home something for lunch the next day after Mexican night."
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