Burns Cafe is expanding
Stephen and Rachel Koehn, owners of Burns Café and Bakery, recently purchased the adjoining building to the west. The building previously held offices and, before that, Bolen's Grocery.
Workmen for Faunce's Carpentry of Burns are busy remodeling the building. It will house an expanded Burns Café, Roger Cohen's Cabinets and More, and Ethel Jantz's Flint Hills Junction.
"It's taken a lot of bread because we're hungry all the time," William Faunce said.
Andy Faunce is contracted as painter.
The café project includes an expanded dining area and also an expanded kitchen area. Wide doorways are being installed in the brick wall separating the two buildings.
Rachel Koehn said wall covering over the bricks was removed. Suspended ceilings also were removed and the original tin ceilings restored. The original wood floor is being retained and refinished, as well. Two tall original doors also will be used.
"We wanted to keep the character of the building," Koehn said.
She said the project will expand the café's capacity to at least 80 people compared to 50 at the present time. The couple is hoping it will cut down on waiting time for customers, especially on busy Friday evenings.
Flint Hills Junction is in the southwest corner of the building and has been open for business since Sept. 24. It provides a myriad of household items including groceries, basic sewing supplies, and gifts. It previously was housed in Jantz's garage.
Cabinets and More will move from its present location in Burns to occupy the space previously used by Walnut Valley Dulcimers. An open stairway to an open upper floor will provide access to upstairs displays in addition to those on the ground floor. The furniture store is expected to be open about Nov. 1.
Koehn said they hope to have the new café dining area open in time for the upcoming holidays.
Café hours are 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5 to 8:30 p.m. Friday evening.
