Ramonans await opening of new store and cafe

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN PAT WICK
“When is the store opening?” has been a common question in Ramona recently as residents anxiously wait to have a local grocery store once again.


The Ramona Store and Cafe opened its doors to the public Tuesday, Jan. 23 with hours beginning at 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The owners plan to serve breakfast all day long with a variety of special meals at noon.


On Sunday the store will be open from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Patrons can pick up some last-minute necessities for Sunday dinner or “bring the whole family down to the store and enjoy a good home cooked meal here,” Marlene Andruss, store proprietor said.


Customers won’t have to do dishes, either.


“Neither will I,” said Andruss’s husband, Reign, who will function as part-time chef even though he is a full-time retiree. They plan to use disposable tableware in the cafe portion of the grocery store.


They will be closed on Monday.


Marlene and Reign are not newcomers to either the grocery store or the restaurant business.


“I enjoy the challenge of starting something new,” Reign said.


For the past two months he has had either a hammer or a paint brush in his hand as he redesigned the interior of the former Haunchus Market.


Meanwhile, Marlene has been working to stock a variety of important commodities-all the way from chicken noodle soup to aspirin-on the shelves.


“Were going to keep things fresh,” Reign said. “But I wont promise fast.”


The Ramona Grocery and Cafe won’t qualify as a fast-food restaurant.


“There will be soup in a crock-pot and plenty of coffee,” he continues with a smile.


The non-smoking environment is cheerful and inviting.


“Just come on by,” Reign said, “and have a cup of coffee and a piece of Marlenes homemade pie.”


Their grand opening will be sometime after the first part of February.

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