The Jim Ehrmentraut family recently opened the Creekside Cafe in Churchville. From left to right are: (back) family friend Matt Buss, Jim Ehrmentraut; (front) Lindsay, Lauren and Peggy Ehrmentraut. Photograph by Cheryl Dobbertin.

It started as a dinner-table joke, said Jim “J.R.” Ehrmentraut, co-owner with his wife Peggy of Churchville’s new Creekside Café. “I said offhandedly we ought to buy the store and everyone got really excited,” he said. “Later on Peggy and I talked about it some more, and here we are.”

With help from daughters Lindsay and Lauren and countless friends and family members, the Ehrmentrauts have renovated and expanded the former Glazed Goodies at the corner of Buffalo Road and Main Street. In addition to the traditional favorites of bagels and donuts, the new café features flavored coffees, danish, scones, and muffins. Conversations among customers on opening weekend were about which brand of the trendy chai tea the eatery should offer. Milkshakes are also on their way.

Creekside Café will also offer light lunches, such as a soup-of-the-day and sandwich. “We know that when people come to a coffee shop like this one, some people want to sit and chat and others need to be in-and-out,” said Peggy. “We’ve selected a menu that will satisfy both kinds of customers.” Hours will be Tuesday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to noon. If you’d like a large order for take away, just call the day before. When you arrive it will be all boxed up and waiting for you.

J.R., who also owns his own carpentry business, built a custom display case to house the bagels and pastries, refinished the floors, and added more lighting. Peggy and friends contributed the dark blue paint on the wainscoting, wallpaper, tablecloths, gingham curtains and fresh flowers. Lauren and Lindsay and family friend, Matt Buss, are helping out serving customers. “We want everyone to feel comfortable here,” said Peggy.

What feels comfortable is watching this family in action. When asked about a possible date for a Grand Opening, Peggy pulled out the family calendar. A couple of dates were discarded because of Lindsay and Lauren’s various school commitments. Everyone committed to the final decision, May 31. “Our biggest challenge is going to be making this place be what we want it to be and letting the kids be kids,” J.R. said.

So far, the fates seem to be on the Ehrmentrauts’ side, J.R. said. When he called the phone company to hook up the telephone in the café, he asked for a “memorable” phone number. The next day they got the number – 293-9110. That’s pretty memorable in a family where dad has been active in the fire department for decades and mom’s birthday is September 11.

“We can’t say enough about how people have helped us,” J.R. added. “The Village of Churchville has been extremely cooperative and supportive in helping us get going.”