Aure Takes Over Sundry

The gem about most small towns is you're only a visitor a time or two.

Even if you don't live there, if you frequent the cafes and watering holes you soon become as if a minor character in "Friends," where everybody knows your name.

That is an atmosphere Jody Aure hopes to continue at the Potter Sundry.

The cafe and sweetshop long known for the decadent Tin Roof Sundae is expanding to include bakery items, longer hours to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, and souvenir items such as t-shirts and hats, coffee mugs and homemade jellies.

Aure has had the Sundry for a little more than two weeks, taking over for Tom and Kendra Mitchell who have operated the Sundry for about two years.

"It's been crazy, fast and furious," Aure said of her time at the Sundry so far.

The craziness is in learning the managerial side of a restaurant, the ordering, staffing and inventory necessary. The learning curve is costing her some extra long days, part of the price of growing a business, she says.

In her short time at the helm, she has seen an increase in the number of tourists stopping in.

The location is still the historic Sundry with copper ceiling and an historic wooden bar for Tin Roof customers.

The display cases are a hint at

The Tin Roof Sundae continues to be an attraction at all hours of the day.

Besides the casual "everyone is a friend" environment, she wants to expand catering and increase the bake shop. She is considering specialty bakery days; for example, donuts on Tuesday, cinnamon rolls on Thursday, kolaches on Monday

She brings to the Sundry her love of baking and experience in design.

"I've done a lot of cooking and baking on the side," she said.

She also owned The Hat Shack Children and Baby Clothes Store in Potter. Stepping out into restaurant ownership, however, is a decision that included significant nervousness. The fear has been of doing enough, of earning a consistent paycheck as an owner.

"It's something I've always been terrified of," she said.

The Sundry is open 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and until 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

She sees the Sundry as an opportunity to do what she's always dreamed of.

"It's something I've always wanted to do," she said.

The Sundry will continue to be the place for an iced tea or coffee on the way out of town, and to share a table with a new friend when all else is filled.

The Sundry will gradually have Aure's signature on the product and the presentation.