CRESTVIEW — Megan Bowersox, owner of Megan's Sunshine Café in Crestview, is celebrating her first year in business Saturday evening.
"Everyone is welcome to come out and celebrate with us," Bowersox said. The café won't be open for business, but a chili bar will be set up and cupcakes and refreshments will be served. Hours are 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 15 at 147 N. Main St.
The café's vegetarian menu — "If you had to put a label on it, yes, it would be vegetarian food, but in my unbiased opinion, it would be just good food," Bowersox said — includes salads and sandwiches, "but my soups and Friday specials have become popular as well.
"I usually try to make them something completely different from the menu … curry, tacos — this week it's kung pao chickpeas," Bowersox said.
Bowersox said she gets a sense of satisfaction from being her own boss, "completely accountable for everything related to the business — all the testing, accounting, marketing … everything resting solely on your shoulders."
Another of Bowersox's achievements is forming the Downtown Crestview Merchants Association with Okaloosa County Commissioner Nathan Boyles. The group of about 20 businesses welcomes downtown professionals to join.
"We're more just advocating for ourselves and things we could collectively do to increase business, revitalize downtown Crestview and improve it from what it is now," Bowersox said.
The group meets at 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month at Casbah Coffee Company on Main Street.
Involvement in that group, and achieving her first year in business, is a source of happiness for Bowersox.
"To be here a whole year and not have any major setbacks is such a proud accomplishment for me,” she said.
Lunch at Megan's Sunshine Café is served 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at 147 N. Main St., Crestview. Friday specials are announced on the café's Facebook page. Call 603-7704 for more information.
Email meganbsox@yahoo.com to learn more about the Downtown Crestview Merchants Association.
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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Cafe owner celebrates first year in business