New cafe fulfills lifelong dream

COLUMBUS — Dondi and Denise Reese of Monroe always wanted to start their own business. Before the end of the year their dream will become a reality with the opening of Eastside Cafe & Bar Inc. in Monroe the between today and New Year’s Day.

The new venture’s brick building is located at 121 Columbus Ave. on the south side of Highway 22 just east of Monroe.

“This is something we’ve always wanted to do,” Dondi Reese said. “We’ve always wanted to start our own business. This is a small community, and we want to be able to give the local people an opportunity to eat out without having to always go into Columbus.”

Reese said he spent two years researching and preparing for the launch of the new eatery.

The Eastside Cafe & Bar will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. with breakfast served from 6-10 a.m. and a lunch buffet from 11:30 to 1 p.m.

Dondi Reese expects to employ up to 10 employees and encourages people. Reese said he’s ready to hire cooks, dishwashers and servers.

“Our grill will be open every night until 9 o’clock,” Reese said. “After that we’ll have a late night menu with a few items on it, but if you come to eat you won’t leave hungry.”

Reese said the full menu will feature everything from hamburgers to steaks and spaghetti and other entrees. He said evening specials are planned for at least three evenings per week and may include spaghetti, Mexican food and steak.

Pool tables will be available separate from the dining room. He said another room will available to rent for parties and other special occasions.

“The special occasion room can seat up to 75 people,” Reese said.

At this point we’re planning that for a party with that many people the rent will be about $100.

Reese said the rental fee will be negotiable if the party orders food for the event. He said a refund of up to $25 could be available if the group wants to pick up and vacuum the area when they’re done.

Eastside Cafe & Bar will also provide off-sale liquor and open as a non-smoking establishment.

Financing for the Reese’s new venture was accomplished in part, through the help of Platte County’s Rotating Loan Fund. The county’s revolving loan fund is an economic development tool used to help new and existing businesses with financing for start up and/or expansion.

The estimated project costs at the beginning of Reese’s work were $235,000. Platte County supervisors approved a $35,000 loan for the project. BankFirst provided $143,550 and the Reese’s committed to $50,000 plus another estimated $8,000 in “sweat equity injection” for the project.

The county’s loan portion is loaned on a 10 year term at 6 percent interest. The county’s portion is earmarked for furniture, inventory, equipment and signs.

Platte County will have a subordinate lien position to BankFirst on all business and personal property including business real estate. The county will also file a Deed of Trust on the Reese's personal residence in Monroe as additional collateral for this loan.