MOUNT VERNON — The business outlook in the county continues to improve as more and more individuals are taking on new commercial ventures.
Plans are being made for the opening of Winsome Willow Tea House around May 15 at 7 N. Main St., next to Down Home Leather. Krista Lyons is embarking on a new venture for herself as her shop will feature a variety of specialty teas from around the world. Baked goods, scones, tea cookies and other products from the Village Bakery in Powell will also be available.
“Our teas are all loose-leaf teas,” said Lyons about her selection which will include hot and cold teas, tea lattes as well as a tropical variety of teas. Jams and preserves are also planned to be offered at a later date. Visitors are welcome to enjoy their tea and baked goods inside, or they can be purchased to go.
Hours for Winsome Willow will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Expansion is on the horizon for Fiesta Mexicana, the local Mexican restaurant owned and operated by Jose Avalos since 1997. Fiesta Mexicana Express, located at 1061 Coshocton Ave., will soon be moving into the former King Garden at 997 Coshocton Ave., between Sears and Dollar Tree. The new restaurant will no longer be an “Express,” but will be a duplicate of Fiesta Mexicana at 308 W. High St. More space and better service are what can be expected when the new restaurant opens.
“We’ve had patrons who feel it was too small and would have preferred a larger menu and full bar,” said Avalos. More customers can be seated in the larger facility which will also include a separate room to accommodate large groups.
A full menu of the finest in Mexican cuisine will be featured complete with appetizers, house specials, lunch buffet, desserts and a full bar offering a variety of drinks. “Everything will be just like our other location. Nothing should be different,” said Avalos.
Renovation is currently taking place at the new location. Fiesta Mexicana Express will remain open until the move takes place which is expected in late May.
Longtime chef David Rycerz has recently expanded his family-style restaurant Bake and Brew from the Newark area up to Utica. Located at 49 S. Main St. in the former Ritchey’s Restaurant, Bake and Brew boasts a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings at reasonable prices. “We have everything from hamburgers and hot dogs to tenderloin, walleye and prime rib,” said Rycerz of the menu at Bake and Brew. Fresh breads, deli cheeses, reubens, fries, chips and an extensive salad bar are popular features which keep customers coming back.
Indoor and outdoor seating are both available. Rycerz is also pursuing a license to offer beer and wine in the future.
Catering service is also available for those wanting to throw a party. “We’ll go all over the place,” said Rycerz, who stated he has had caterings as far away as Columbus and Cincinnati.
Hours for Bake and Brew are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday with Sunday hours until 8 p.m.
