Simple dreams fulfilled by family-owned restaurant
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RONAN — When Karen Joslin was first approached with the idea to run a restaurant in Ronan, she scoffed at the idea.
“No way. I ain’t (sic) moving to Ronan,” the native Californian exclaimed.
In 2006 Joslin’s father and brother were visiting the Ronan area and spotted the Ronan Café for sale.
By 2007 Karen and her husband moved to the area after she and her family purchased the café. They added on the bakery, changed the logo and for the last three years have made Ronan their home.
“I would never change it,” Joslin said. “I love it here.”
Though it may appear so, her story is not typical by any means — the uniqueness of the restaurant and its employees is obvious upon entry.
Joslin and her family wear black bonnets and traditional dresses because they are Mennonites — not to be confused, Joslin says, with Amish.
Though she is used to the common misconception, Joslin is clear about the distinct difference between her faith and the Amish faith.
She uses electricity, drives cars and uses telephones. She even uses the Internet for business or productive purposes only.
And it seems that her faith’s guidelines are the pillars for the success of the Ronan Café.
Surprisingly enough, the Mennonite faith isn’t one she was born into. After a few rebellious teenage years, Joslin and her parents began attending a local Mennonite Church in California.
Though she doesn’t seem to mind the lifestyle now, the transition from her secular lifestyle to the Mennonite way of life was tremendously difficult.
Mennonite women and men wear traditional clothing and in those beginning years, her church was patient while she struggled to give up her modern clothing for the modest dresses.
Finally, she decided. It was her choice. And she chose to be a member of the faith that attracted her because of its uncomplicated lifestyle and the simplicity of its faith.
It was a major concession then, but one that she barely notices now.
Sacrificing certain attributes of the secular world is a way to gain the simple lifestyle of her faith.
The Menonites believe in salvation through grace and not through works. Their lifestyle reflects modesty and traditional behavior on all accounts — men court young ladies with the purpose of marriage, houses are usually simple in design and decoration, and the pace of life is supposedly less hectic, Joslin explained.
Ironically, it was the simplicity and the slower pace of life that drew Joslin to Ronan as well.
After years “playing restaurant” with her three daughters and two nieces and running a baking and cooking business from her home, the family followed their dreams and bought the restaurant and building where the Ronan Café is currently located.
Contrary to the rest of the economy, the bakery and restaurant have thrived over the last three years.
And it’s easy to see why.
Joslin has created or tweaked recipes, writing a cookbook that’s completely her own. She makes chili beans from dry beans and potato salad, ranch dressing, thousand island and tartar sauce from scratch.
Her breads and hamburger buns are made from scratch as well. Warm aromas of freshly baked pies and cinnamon rolls fill the air in and around the café.
“It just becomes old hat for me,” the accomplished baker said.
When working, Joslin never has a dull moment. Arriving at the café at 5:30 a.m., her workday requires a variety of tasks - everything from baking to filling-in as a waitress.
And the hard work pays off.
It’s hugely popular. So much so, that the local breakfast and lunch nook has been graced with an addition this fall.
Joslin explained that many businesses in the area requested to have meetings in the restaurant and it was difficult to accommodate their requests with a dining room that only seats 70 people. Privacy and time were also issues. With the new banquet rooms, the restaurant will be able to accommodate business meetings, private parties or special events.
Though work keeps her busy, Joslin considers herself first and foremost a mother and a wife. Every night after a busy day in the café’s kitchen, she hurries home to put dinner on the table for her own family.
On a new red wall in her restaurant, the words “the fondest memories are made when gathered around the table” are written in elegant script.
The saying certainly rings true for many people, family or not, who enjoy the family-feel and hearty meals at the Ronan Café.
