By Don Murtha
Changes are in the works for downtown Mount Angel. While one business expands and two plan for new developments, another is closing its doors.
Mt. Angel Sausage Co. expands
Known for “brats and brew,” the Mount Angel Sausage Co. has extended its space with the purchase of the dining area of the former Bavarian Haus.
Addition of the corner lot at Garfield and College has allowed Jim Hoke, owner of Mount Angel Sausage, to enlarge the patio for more outdoor dining, extend the roof on the east side of the building and renovate the indoor area.
“We recycled the wood from the mezzanine to open up and brighten the dining area with new fixtures and furnishings,” Hoke said.
With the expansion, Hoke said he plans to offer more live music, new menu items and a new salad bar.
Asked about other changes Hoke said, “It will never end. We are constantly looking to get better at what we do with special promotions and ways to entertain people.”
One of the first promotions will be the premier party for the Food Network’s national airing of a program taped at Mount Angel Sausage earlier this year. Focusing a segment on Hoke’s Firehouse brats, which range in heat from one to four alarms, the program will air at 10 p.m. July 1. The restaurant will be open to the public for the showing, Hoke said. Then the restaurant will gear up for the July 4 weekend.
Cake, cookies – and coffee – coming
Two Charles Street properties were damaged by fire in February, forcing Koffee Konnection to close, Dave’s Upholstery and Mount Angel Financial Services to move out and the upstairs tenants to move on.
Now sisters Debi and Cynthia Unger have joined forces to establish a new bakery where the Koffee Konnection was housed before the fire. Debi owns the building and Cynthia will run the bakery.
“We will be open in the morning for coffee and something to carry you through the morning,” Cynthia said.
The sisters hope to be open by Oktoberfest offering bread, cakes, cookies, muffins and an assortment of other baked goods. Cynthia said she hopes to bring in a cake decorator to do wedding cakes and things for other events. David Hoffer is doing the work on rebuilding and construction of the bakery.
Mike Grant has been working with Dan McDonald, owner of the building with upstairs apartments and Dave’s Upholstery and Mount Angel Financial at street level.
The flames also charred the walls and ceiling in Grant’s neighboring office, and water and smoke did additional damage. But firefighters acted quickly and limited the loss.
“I was really impressed with the guys on the fire department,” Grant said. He tore out the damage and made improvements with the restorations, including fire safety. Again operating out of the Grant Co. Charles Street offices, he said McDonald feels badly about “the whole thing and wants to put it back.”
Initial plans call for two or three housing units on the upper floor with more to be added later, Grant said, adding McDonald is looking for residential tenants and a manager, as well as for tenants for the street level space.
Blackberries refocuses on Salem location
Blackberries, the home interior and gift store at North Main and East College streets, has closed.
“It’s a matter of timing,” Sharon Hoffer said. “The economy is slow and I knew the Mount Angel store would take away from my Salem store.”
Hoffer opened the Salem Blackberries, located at 2755 S. Commercial, in March 2010.
