Biz buzz: A new café in Meadow Vista and an expanded boutique in Downtown Auburn

Businesses in the area continue to make moves, creating new places to eat and larger places to shop. Just this week in Meadow Vista, neighbors now have a place to grab coffee, breakfast or lunch – something the town didn't have before. In a true community effort, a small group of local Meadow Vista investors, including well-known Sacramento-area chef Ettore Ravazzolo, pooled their finances to create The Local Café. "We felt our community needed a coffee shop where people could gather together," said part-owner Duke Lambert. "We didn't have that. If you wanted to meet a friend for coffee, you went to Auburn." The counter-service café offers breakfast, lunch and snacks as well as coffee, espresso drinks, loose-leaf tea and fresh-squeezed orange juice. Chef Ravazzolo is known for founding and running Ettore's Bakery & Café in Sacramento for 30 years. After finishing his time at Ettore's, he was approached by the café investors and said he was open to running a smaller operation in Meadow Vista. Lambert said the menu is still being crafted, but plans are to have six staple items and then rotating specials. The café also offers a variety of pastries, as Ravazzolo is known for his baked goods. The Local Café is a welcome site to residents who asked about the business for months while it was under construction, Lambert said. "It's rewarding to see the reaction from the local community," Lambert said. "We've had a steady stream of business since we opened on Tuesday." The Local Café, located at 16987 Placer Hills Road, is currently open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Lambert said they hope to eventually be open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. "Our goal is really to provide a meeting space and gathering space for people to be with friends," he said. "If ever there were a time people needed it, this would be it." While not exactly a new business on the block, Skye Clothing Boutique is now operating in a new expanded space, two doors down from its previous location on Lincoln Way in Downtown Auburn. The new space, which used to house Marilyn's Fashion-a-tions, is triple the size of owner Skye Toro's previous space, much to her delight. "Every time I walk in the shop, I'm on cloud nine," Toro said. This is the fourth move Skye Clothing Boutique has made since it opened in 2014, growing each time. While the move was a lot of work, a full remodel, Toro said she loves having a bigger space in which to operate. The new space features several seating areas and more room for shoppers to spread out. She said it's not uncommon for men to take a seat while their companions shop at the ladies' boutique. "This space has created a vibe and everyone is loving it," Toro said. "It's definitely more of a social experience." And business has been great, Toro said. The new space has added four to five additional women's clothing racks and an expanded gift selection. "Our turnover is major," Toro said. "I get to buy more products every night. It's been so much fun to buy more for the store." Toro said the items are constantly changing as she orders, and her clothing comes in sizes from extra small to 3X. Skye Clothing Boutique is open at 866 Lincoln Way. Business Buzz will be an ongoing series in the Auburn Journal. Know of a new business or changing business in town? Let us know! Email tracin@goldcountrymedia.com.