Locals may have noticed some changes around the Mountain Center Cafe, now known as the Fork and Spoon. This is the work of new owners Jerri Anne Miller and Brad O’Donahue. They are taking over from Martha Pearson, who is moving on to other projects.

When you enter the restaurant, the front room has been converted into a small retail shop with thrift-store items, antiques and work by artists from all over. Jewelry, a lot of book-themed merchandise including reading lamps and books converted into purses, are included. A quirky, creative and off-beat sensibility fills every nook and cranny with surprises, making this roadside attraction a welcome splash of local color.

TC: When did you take over?

Jerri: The official purchase was in early December; we’ve been new owners almost two months.

TC: What is your experience in hospitality?

Jerri: Brad owned a bar, and was also general manager of one of the most popular restaurants in Lincoln, Nebraska. I’ve worked in the restaurant industry since I was 13.

TC: Where are you both from?

Jerri: Brad is originally from Chatanooga; I’ve lived mostly in St Louis.

TC: Coming from Nebraska and Missouri, you’re probably not too worried about our California winter?

Jerri: We love the weather here and the mountains. We’re used to 0-degree weather with 60 mph winds. It was -7 there a couple of days ago.

TC: How did you find our area?

Jerri: My grandpa lived in Fresno. He brought my mother here for vacations, she brought me, in turn, I brought my son. We were looking for somewhere in the mountains with “designer weather.” We looked around at places in Colorado, Utah, Montana, Idaho … basically anywhere there were mountains. We like that there was a connection over the years from visiting; it felt more like home. We have memories that go back 30 years. It worked out really well. My husband and I met Martha. He and Martha hit it off. Martha and Brad are like a his-and-hers watch set; they could wear the same flannels if they were the same size. We love that the locals come in and joke with us like we’ve known each other forever. Everyone is so down-to-earth.

TC: What are your plans for the restaurant?

Jerri: We’ve been excited. The restaurant has been an institution over the last decade, so we didn’t want to change anything major, just add to it while respecting the history. The wheel wasn’t broken, we just wanted to “add rims” to it. We are keeping the menu and the staff. We hope that as hours grow, staff will grow also. We’ll add more daily specials, some vegan specials.

TC: They plan to make the Fork and Spoon not just a place to eat but a home-away-from home, with plans to “utilize the patio more, add color, better seating. We’ve also added four TVs, guest Wifi, and little electric fireplaces to help heat the place up and add to the cozy feeling.”

Brad: On the patio we have Connect 4, corn hole, a huge game selection, a place to hang out — a place for adults, kids and fur babies. Books to read while you’re here. We are carrying the Town Crier and have magazine subscriptions. We should have a liquor license in the next couple of months. We want to make it incredibly dog friendly. We hope, by spring, to have a dog menu: home-made gravy for the dogs, so humans can get biscuits and gravy, and milk-bone biscuits with gravy for the dogs.

TC: Like so many folk who relocate to our small town, Jerri Anne and Brad came for the human element. ‘We look forward to working with the community to raise money for good causes. We’ve already hosted an event for ARF, and in the next few months plan one for Camp Ronald McDonald, and one for the Skate Park, many more in the future.”

The Mountain Center Fork and Spoon is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. They hope in the spring to be open for dinner Thursday to Sunday. Locals get free coffee until 10 a.m. with breakfast.