Keep Mountain Edge Cafe open and running
Donation protected
Have you
ever imagined moving your family to a slower paced community? Have you ever dreamed of being the boss of
your own company that would let you show case your greatest skills? Tony, Lanora, Catherine and Taryn are looking
to do just that, by purchasing their own family style restaurant in a small
Oregon community.
Funding
We are seeking $54,000 to fund our dream. $25,000 is for the purchase of the restaurant itself, which includes all of the furnishings, kitchen equipment and any supplies currently in the restaurant. The additional $29,000 is for initial operating expenses. This will allow for set-up of their own contracts with suppliers and help with any potential issues (though there are none at this time).
Business Background
Mountain Edge Café is an established café on Santiam Highway 22 in Mill City, Oregon. It has been open for the past 30 years, doing business with different owners (and names), but is currently being run by the original owners of the building who would like to retire. The café serves breakfast and lunch 7 days a week. There are over 1800 people in Mill City, with only 5 restaurants in the town, including Mt. Edge Café. Each of the 4 other restaurants serve other styles of food; hamburgers, Mexican, pizza and coffee with pastries. Mill City itself sits in the North Santiam Recreational area which brings in new clientele such as campers, hikers, hunters, fishermen, rafters, skiers, snowmobilers and travelers who drive through on Highway 22, the second busiest highway in Oregon.
Tony: Co- Proprietor Background
Tony decided to follow his heart and in 2001 began attending Western Culinary Institute to become a chef. While in school, Tony worked at a brew pub and did his externship at a fine dining establishment in Portland, Oregon. After graduating from Western Culinary Institute in 2003, Tony began working at a retirement community. He started as a pantry cook and worked his way up to sous chef. He was then offered the position of Food and Beverage Director at a memory care facility owned by the same company in 2009. Both facilities have given Tony experience in developing menus, department budgeting and catering to large groups. Now Tony says it is time to start working on his ultimate dream, owning his own restaurant!
Lanora: Co-Proprietor Background
Lanora has been an RN for 20 years, and has done many different types of nursing. While nursing is very different from being a restaurateur, it is always being of service to others. Lanora is ready and wanting to step out of her comfort zone of nursing and put to use the business classes she took while getting her BSN degree. There are many medical facilities close by, so that Lanora can obtain part time employment as needed, and keep her nursing skills up t o date.
Catherine
Our daughter Catherine is 19 years old and has Down Syndrome. She is an extremely social young lady who craves to be a member of a community, "where everyone knows your name." Catherine has worked in the food service industry during her first year of transitional studies, (learning about jobs/careers and community living) post high school graduation. Catherine will be able to continue with this program in Mill City until she is 21. While working in the restaurant with us, she will be able to expand her work and social skills to the greatest extent possible, building her community and the people she can rely on.
Taryn
Our daughter Taryn is 17 years old and a senior at Evergreen High School in Vancouver, WA. She is an active member and flautist for the Evergreen Marching Band, (a competition marching band). Taryn is excited to move to a small community where there are no crowds and less noise, which she has trouble dealing with because of her autism. Taryn wants to learn all aspects of working in and running a restaurant, choosing at this time to not attend college. Taryn wants to explore the music opportunities available to the kids in Mill City, and how to bring instrumental music into their lives.
With everyone helping us, our dream can come true!! Thank you in advance for all of your support!!!!!!
Funding
We are seeking $54,000 to fund our dream. $25,000 is for the purchase of the restaurant itself, which includes all of the furnishings, kitchen equipment and any supplies currently in the restaurant. The additional $29,000 is for initial operating expenses. This will allow for set-up of their own contracts with suppliers and help with any potential issues (though there are none at this time).
Business Background
Mountain Edge Café is an established café on Santiam Highway 22 in Mill City, Oregon. It has been open for the past 30 years, doing business with different owners (and names), but is currently being run by the original owners of the building who would like to retire. The café serves breakfast and lunch 7 days a week. There are over 1800 people in Mill City, with only 5 restaurants in the town, including Mt. Edge Café. Each of the 4 other restaurants serve other styles of food; hamburgers, Mexican, pizza and coffee with pastries. Mill City itself sits in the North Santiam Recreational area which brings in new clientele such as campers, hikers, hunters, fishermen, rafters, skiers, snowmobilers and travelers who drive through on Highway 22, the second busiest highway in Oregon.
Tony: Co- Proprietor Background
Tony decided to follow his heart and in 2001 began attending Western Culinary Institute to become a chef. While in school, Tony worked at a brew pub and did his externship at a fine dining establishment in Portland, Oregon. After graduating from Western Culinary Institute in 2003, Tony began working at a retirement community. He started as a pantry cook and worked his way up to sous chef. He was then offered the position of Food and Beverage Director at a memory care facility owned by the same company in 2009. Both facilities have given Tony experience in developing menus, department budgeting and catering to large groups. Now Tony says it is time to start working on his ultimate dream, owning his own restaurant!
Lanora: Co-Proprietor Background
Lanora has been an RN for 20 years, and has done many different types of nursing. While nursing is very different from being a restaurateur, it is always being of service to others. Lanora is ready and wanting to step out of her comfort zone of nursing and put to use the business classes she took while getting her BSN degree. There are many medical facilities close by, so that Lanora can obtain part time employment as needed, and keep her nursing skills up t o date.
Catherine
Our daughter Catherine is 19 years old and has Down Syndrome. She is an extremely social young lady who craves to be a member of a community, "where everyone knows your name." Catherine has worked in the food service industry during her first year of transitional studies, (learning about jobs/careers and community living) post high school graduation. Catherine will be able to continue with this program in Mill City until she is 21. While working in the restaurant with us, she will be able to expand her work and social skills to the greatest extent possible, building her community and the people she can rely on.
Taryn
Our daughter Taryn is 17 years old and a senior at Evergreen High School in Vancouver, WA. She is an active member and flautist for the Evergreen Marching Band, (a competition marching band). Taryn is excited to move to a small community where there are no crowds and less noise, which she has trouble dealing with because of her autism. Taryn wants to learn all aspects of working in and running a restaurant, choosing at this time to not attend college. Taryn wants to explore the music opportunities available to the kids in Mill City, and how to bring instrumental music into their lives.
With everyone helping us, our dream can come true!! Thank you in advance for all of your support!!!!!!
Organizer
Lanora Dienstel
Organizer
Mill City, OR
