They purchased the café in October 2012, and in less than two years, with only word of mouth advertising and Facebook, this small business is expanding into doing outside catering and will soon be unveiling a new website.
Fleek previously worked for the Sheriff’s office and had also managed several restaurants locally such as Taco Time and original Cookie Company. “Ever since I was little, I wanted to own a deli,” she said. “I did not want to work nights, weekends and holidays. Mike and I saw this place for sale on craigslist.”
Fleek said that previously it was more of a snack bar, now it is a café. One of the first changes she made was paint the interior to more pleasing colors and decorate and add a lounge area, tablecloths and a coffee and salad bar.
The salad bar was a new addition to the previous menu and she added items to the menu that offered healthier options such as burritos, oatmeal, fruit and fresh vegetable snacks. In addition to a variety of beverages, the café makes fresh baked homemade cookies every day. They use local suppliers Redwood meat and Muddy Waters and Fleek describes her menu as “home comfort food.” There are daily specials such as meatloaf and mashed potatoes and tater tot casserole.
“I like being my own boss, I enjoy cooking and people watching,” said Fleek. “People are so busy that we try and make it personal and show people that they matter to us.”
Although majority of her customers are from the Courthouse, many of her regulars are area businesses and employees. The catering expansion came when a customer approached her to cater for her wedding.
Currently, Fleek emails and posts her weekly menu on Facebook. She is developing a website which will feature the entire menu and has spoken with Humboldt County CAO to see if that site can be linked to the County website. Fleek said that in addition to having customer appreciation days, and Business Card Mondays where people win a free lunch; she offers people the opportunity to pre-order specials they can pick-up.
She employs two-part-time workers, Stacie Velasquez and Kristina Smith, both who say Jeanne is a great boss and they actually look forward to come to work. Stacie said one of the many reasons she enjoy working at the cafe is " our regulars whom we love and they are so friendly."
Fleek said encouraging others to “take a leap of faith and follow their dreams” like she did is what she tries to convey to everyone she encounters.
The café is open M-Th from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and until 2 p.m. on Fridays. Call (707) 444-8042 or email mjscourthousecafe@yahoo.com for more information. If you mention that you saw this on my blog, starting today until next Friday, you get a free soda, coffee or tea with your purchase.
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