For Moxieberry, it’s out with the old and in with the new!
To survive the financial dip caused by the pandemic, the popular Stayton eatery has shifted from a full-service café to a bakery and market.
“The last two years have really changed a lot of things – the way we shop, the way we eat, the way we live,” said Teri Mesa, who owns Moxieberry with her husband, Jon. “Add to that labor, inflation, and supply chain challenges, we knew we needed to change our business model to survive.”
Mesa reasoned by adapting their food delivery system, Moxieberry could continue to serve customers without passing along higher food and labor costs.
“We shrunk the footprint of the restaurant, accommodating a second business to open within the building, while creating a cozy bakery-inspired café in the smaller side,” Mesa said. “We still have seating, retail gifts, wine, and many customers’ favorite sandwiches, soups and salads from our previous menu with some new additions as well.”
Moxieberry now focuses on baked goods: fresh bread, quiche, croissants, muffins, scones, tarts, cakes, cheesecakes, brownies and more in “single-portion sizes perfect to complement lunch or espresso,” Mesa said.
“And they can be ordered in larger sizes for parties and private gatherings,” she added. “Essentially we pack more punch in a smaller footprint.”
Moxieberry still serves Café Feminino organic fair-trade coffee as well as sweet and savory baked goods, soup, sandwiches and wine. A gift shop is on the premises.
“Holy Hanna!” posted Harmoney Forbes on Moxieberry’s Facebook page. “I already loved Moxieberry, but the new menu is amazing! Love the new grab-and-go option. Great for the working community!”
James Mensing recommended Moxieberry, saying, “Really nice people, great food.”
“Fresh, tasty, unique,” Maria Beard agreed. “The owners are very gracious, and staff is kind.”
During Moxieberry’s closure from mid-December to its reopening in the beginning of February, the interior of the building was transformed to include faux brick walls, corbels, furniture and fixtures to resemble the era in which the building was built.
“Creating what we hope to be viewed as a hidden gem, a ‘hole in the wall’ bakery you discover as you stroll down Third Avenue in Historic Downtown Stayton,” Mesa said.
According to Mesa, the menu is designed to meet the demands of “grab ’n’ go” lunchers while maintaining their trademark “flavorful, fresh choices our dine-in customers are accustomed to.” The Mesas are even considering adding more Keto-friendly items to the menu.
“The menu additions far outweigh the few items removed to enhance our delivery model adapted during the pandemic,” Mesa said. “Our food is prepared each morning and on display at the counter to order. Though we do not offer table side service, we continue to offer great food quicker without the price increases most restaurants have embraced to offset inflation.”
Customers who want to dine in can be seated at tables inside or outside on the courtyard overlooking the water way, she said.
“The many accolades from our existing Moxieberry family and the addition of our new friends and customers far outweighs the occasional curmudgeon that walks through our doors looking only to what was lost and not to what is gained,” Mesa said. “Once people walk through our doors and allow themselves to embrace the changes, they usually walk away satisfied and glad to have made the journey with us.
“On a personal note, we love our new business model!” she added. “We feel connected to the community and the transformations we’ve all made over the last few years due to the pandemic, fires, ice storms. Together we rose above the chaos and created a bright future.”
Mesa said she is especially proud of Stayton’s downtown community of merchants who more than survived the challenges and continue to push forward in the face of adversity that has caused so many others to fade away.
“So far this year downtown has opened a few new businesses already with more to open in the next couple of months,” Mesa said. “So, if you haven’t been downtown lately, come check us out. And stop by Moxieberry for lunch, coffee and a treat.”
Moxieberry is located at 429 N. Third Ave., Stayton. For more information, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.moxieberry.com.
