Serving Whitman County since 1877
Dessert pastries are laid out on a counter before owner Debbie Repp
The mouth waters at the selection of pies, cakes and cookies in the display case. Sparkly trinkets and delicate candies tease the eye all around the room. A menu proclaims the day’s special meal.
Randy and Debbi Repp opened up St. John’s newest café and gift shop, A la Carte, on Front Street late last month.
“We’ve kind of been experimenting and playing around in here for the past month,” Debbi Repp told the Gazette over a cup of apple cider Friday. “We’re having a ball in here.”
Along with the pastries and coffee drinks, A la Carte cooks up sandwiches and lunch entrees and offers up nightly box dinners.
For the past 16 years, the Repps have been known for their Memorable Events catering business. Debbi said the café setting allows them opportunities to experiment with new dishes that the high-volume catering business does not afford. Rarely will they feature the same dish twice, she said.
Not only is the shop cloaked in the tantalizing smells of freshly-made entrees, but top shelf artwork lines the walls and bright baubles dot shelves.
Repp said she jumped at the idea of stocking the store with gift items.
“I love shopping. So the retail stuff has really been a lot of fun,” she said.
The gift stock will rotate seasonally, and Repp said they plan to hold special event nights throughout the year.
Next Thursday, Dec. 3, for instance, A la Carte will host a gentleman’s shopping night, where store employees will assist husbands in selecting and wrapping the perfect gift for their spouses, all while snacking on what Repp called “man food” like barbecue ribs.
Repp said she has received many requests from Pullman residents to set up a retail store there, but chose St. John because, she said, the smaller town gives a more personal atmosphere.
She added the built-in community support from St. John residents made it an even more inviting place to open a business, even in the midst of a recession.
“There’s just so much support here from the other businesses and from everyone in town,” she said. “There’s a lot of community spirit here, and that makes it that much easier.”
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