SHAMOKIN — The WhatNot Shoppe Cafe, 139 E. Independence St., is celebrating its third anniversary today.
The unique downtown cafe has focused on offering a relaxing atmosphere where customers can make memories without feeling rushed, said Cindy Carpenter, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Tom.
The Carpenters operated a cafe in Vermont prior to moving to Shamokin in 2008 and opening the WhatNot Shoppe in 2012.
“We used the menu from Vermont when we first opened, but it was more vegan and organic,” said Cindy Carpenter, who is also chief cook.
She noted the menu has evolved over the past three years to incorporate regional and ethnic fare.
“I try to hit all these regional favorites as specials if they are not on the menu,” she said. “I am still finding out what people like, and I like suggestions from customers.”
The cafe caters to customers with special diets and dietary needs, she said.
For her part, Cindy Carpenter says she believes in the city of Shamokin and feels it can be reborn.
“I think we can have that and people want that,” she said.
The cafe is family run and includes five of Tom and Cindy’s children who still live at home, as well as employee Suzanne Conley.
Wafflewich special
One of the cafe’s most popular items brought to Shamokin is their wafflewich; a sandwich with two freshly made Belgian waffles replacing the bread. It can be made using ham, turkey, cheesesteak or a burger.
On May 22 and 23, customers can get two wafflewiches for $7 as part of an Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts special. Free drink samples will be offered those two days.
For the month of May, bagels are on special for $4.50 for a dozen, normally $6 a dozen.
Starting May 20, the WhatNot Shoppe will offer a lunch, soup, salad and bread bar starting at $5.99.
Other features include fresh, homemade bread, pigions, haluski, a full espresso, cappuccino and latte bar, fresh organic teas and teapot service, frozen drinks, including coffee, smoothies, creamies, slushies and ice cream and sundaes, among others.
They offer delivery service for orders over $10, catering for events in or out of the cafe and private parties outside of their regular business hours.
Other items and services include tea parties, complete Thanksgiving meals for purchase and reservations only Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day dinners.
Giving back
They have also provided free community Thanksgiving Dinner on Thanksgiving Day in conjunction with God’s Chuck Wagon, Salem UCC Church and the Shamokin Rotary Club.
“We all need to give back and that is who I am” Cindy said.
The restaurant is also a vendor for events at the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area.
Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Longer days and evening are being planned for the summer with dates yet to be determined. For more information or to place an order, call 570-259-4739.
“There is a lot of good food in the region. Getting people here is the trick” Cindy Carpenter said.