Catherine Dowdy has worn many hats through the years. The mom of six has always enjoyed cooking, which led her to opportunities including helping friends and family with personal events, catering weddings, and most recently owning Catherine’s Cafe.
When COVID-19 caused business owners to rethink the way they operated, for some it became a blessing in disguise. For Dowdy, the recent decision to put Catherine’s Cafe up for sale will allow her more time to pursue her catering passion.
“I bought the cafe three years ago. COVID basically hit on our two-year anniversary,” Dowdy said. “I could keep the cafe and continue catering out of that location, but I want someone to have the opportunity to keep the restaurant going. It’s been in the community for over 60 years.”
Although the decision may not have been an easy one, Dowdy knew it made sense.
“When we came in three years ago, we fixed it up a lot,” Dowdy said. “It was like a mom-and-pop burger and fish fry place before. We started making more than just fried food. We built up our customer base and even though I love a good fashioned burger, I wanted to make good food, better food. We started expanding our menu options.”
After getting her catering business license, Dowdy booked her first wedding. She enjoyed it so much, she began to brainstorm ways to continue her passion beyond the restaurant.
From breakfast buffets, to taco bars or shrimp boils, Dowdy said she has prepared every type of food for catering events.
“I am a foodie. I set up at the Farmer’s Market, did business luncheons, and created hot and ready meals for staff of local businesses during COVID,” Dowdy said.
As her catering business began to take off, Dowdy made the decision to put the restaurant up for sale and pursue the portion of business she is most passionate about.
“I am too busy to do all of it now; I want to stick with the catering,” Dowdy said. “During the Farmer’s Market we stay extremely busy. Since most of the home bakers focus on baked goods, I create savory items including family size take and bake meals to go.”
The take-and-bake meals serve six to eight people and include choices like enchiladas and homemade salsa, or pork chops with asparagus and baby baked potatoes.
“Even in the rain the other night people stopped by and picked up the meals and we sold out really quickly,” Dowdy said.
Dowdy enjoys providing meal options for all dietary needs, making her catering menu accessible for all.
“I’m gluten free and dairy free,” she said. “I have made vegan cakes for people and things of that nature. For my very first wedding, the bride was gluten free; she was able to eat everything which was very helpful.”
Dowdy hopes to find a new owner soon for Catherine’s Cafe, which is equipped with everything the new owners will need.
“It seats 48 people. There’s a lovely sized yard that could be used for a fabulous patio and live music,” she said. “It’s located just five minutes past Ben Hawes State Park. It’s not very far at all once you get off the bypass.”
Dowdy calls this a turnkey business opportunity, with the ability to create the space for other uses such as a salon. She feels like one good aspect of the pandemic is more people wanting to become entrepreneurs.
“It comes with pretty much a complete inventory,” she said. “This could be for a home-based baker who has the dream of having a store front. You could buy this for a fraction of what it would cost to rent in town. I already interviewed someone who wanted to rent it out. To lease a building in town would have been double or triple for her.”
As far as what fuels her passion for creating dishes and seeing others do the same, Dowdy loves being a part of people’s special day.
“There’s really something special about breaking bread with people,” Dowdy said.
