Many years ago, William and Dorothy vacationed in Bozeman. On a return visit last summer, they remembered Frontier Pies—a restaurant that served delicious, home-style food. They surprised themselves when they quickly found the location and stopped in around 5pm on a Friday night. After being seated at one of the familiar booths, their server arrived but she didn’t hand them a menu. Instead, the server described the evening’s menu. William and Dorothy realized something had changed. This favorite restaurant was now the Community Café. The Community Café is a “pay what you can” restaurant designed to offer anyone in need a delicious and nutritious meal and creates an opportunity for anyone in the community to enjoy the same meal and “pay it forward.”
William and Dorothy initially hesitated about staying for dinner, but after looking around the Café they realized it still had that welcoming environment and the dinner looked delicious. As they ate, they sparked conversation with a table beside them and met two young children and their mother who frequently enjoy dinner at the Café. The children seemed very unaware that this Café was different from any other restaurant in town and they all shared a fondness for the mixed berry cobbler. After learning more about the customers and mission of the Café from the volunteers who served them and bussed their table, William and Dorothy left inspired. HRDC established the Community Café in March of 2012. As a non-profit Community Action Agency, it is HRDC’s mission to address community needs. With requests at HRDC’s food banks increasing in double digit percentages and an outpouring of support from partners, community groups, and the local congregations, HRDC only needed a location. The former Frontier Pies building on North 7th Avenue had been vacant for more than seven years. HRDC CEO Heather Grenier had a vision for a Community Café that would welcome everyone with a pay only what you can model as an approach to hunger and community needs. A local bank shared that vision, and HRDC was able to purchase the vacant building at a very generous price. William and Dorothy did not forget their evening at the Community Café. They returned to their home outside of Boston and continued to learn more about HRDC and the Café. They also researched food banks in their own community and were amazed to learn of a tremendous need in their area and vowed to get involved. Both were impacted by their night at the Café and returned to Bozeman several months later and made a generous donation to what is now their favorite Bozeman restaurant! HRDC’s Community Café is Montana’s first pay-what-you-can restaurant.
Located at 302 North 7th, the Café is open nightly from 5-7 pm. Everyone is welcome! Find your inspiration by dining at the Café and paying it forward. Learn more at cafebozeman.org/. •
