Patrons of the Uptown Café won’t see many changes soon, said new owners Ora Stevens (left) and Nhan Nguyen (right). Purchase of the Jefferson café from Beth and Wayne Hougham was effective Jan. 1.
Stevens and Nguyen opened Homestead Bakery and Coffee Shop on the southeast corner of the courthouse square in July 2013. The purchase of the Uptown lets both of them fulfill career dreams.
“Nhan always wanted a coffee shop. I always wanted a restaurant. Nhan got his way with Homestead, and now I’m getting my way with Uptown,” Stevens said.
The two plan to transplant some of the baked items from each location. Peanut butter pie, a Homestead favorite, will be added to the menu at Uptown, and banana cream pie and Twinkie cake, favorites at the Uptown, will also be offered at Homestead.
The Uptown has several longtime employees who plan to remain in their jobs with the new ownership. “They’re great employees and we’re very happy they’re staying,” Steven said.
Stevens will devote more of his time to the Uptown Café and Nguyen will be at Homestead. They plan to implement changes slowly. Watch for expanded hours at the Uptown, although probably not until spring. Stevens said Saturday evening hours will probably be the first change.
Nguyen hopes to add staff at Homestead once the days are warmer and longer.
