Small business: the life blood of rural communities

By Alyssa Stromberg

When you drive into a small rural area, you won’t find large retailers or fancy restaurants. What you find are businesses that are family owned/operated and they have been part of the community for years.

Medicine Lake is a very small rural town, with two bars/restaurants, a homestyle restaurant, a floral/gift shop, ag business and two churches. So, imagine the excitement and anticipation when a local began the process of opening a Mexican restaurant.

Corey and Tricia Jensen and their two children moved into Medicine Lake in 2018. They quickly be- came ingrained in the community. While Tricia was working at another local business, the café which had closed became available. The reality of a Mexican restaurant began taking shape, a vision was becoming a reality. Saturday, July 22, 2023, Sweetheart Café officially opened its doors; from what I have heard from all those that were there for the opening day, it was a success. I certainly enjoyed my lunch today.

When I asked Tricia why a Mexican restaurant she replied, “it’s in my heritage, it’s what I love.” From the start of the vision to the doors opening was approximately a year and half, a labor of love no doubt. Any speed bumps Tricia and Corey encountered, they tackled them together and with an optimistic outlook and a smile on their faces. Whether it was inspections not going their way or a roofing redo, Corey feels like he will never be able to completely part ways with the dang roof.

Owning a business is not for the faint of heart, it is a labor of love and a leap of faith. Next time you are needing your Mexican food fix, stop in and say hello to Tricia and her staff. You will leave full and with a few more friends.