A convenient cafe

Medicine Bow Crossing convenience store in Elk Mountain has a new look, but it is not apparent from the outside. Medicine Bow Crossing was established in the town of Elk Mountain about four years ago by Bill Jones, Cody Jones and Joyce Menke. Menke departed after about a year and father and son ran the business. The store had success but Bill Jones had to drive in from Laramie which was a challenge in winter.

This past summer the Jones' sold the business to Menke. The new owner had major changes she wanted to bring to Medicine Bow Crossing. She felt a cafe that featured excellent coffee would compliment the convenience store. "I like the way the kitchen is set up because it is cozy and comfortable, I can visit with customers," Menke said. "Plus I like that people can come in here and visit amongst themselves."

As Menke started to renovate she came across old items such as calendars. She put some of the calendars she found on the walls for people to gaze at. The oldest is from 1953, art deco style and a bit risqué for its time period. They are definitely worth seeing before departing the establishment. "They came originally from the A. R. Anderson's Coyote Springs gas station, but they ended up in the sauna that is next door," said Menke. "They have been around the county a bit."

Another item to observe in the cafe area is a 48 starred flag.

Menke said there are customers who come in to play cribbage, keno or just get together and visit. She said she recently has introduced dominoes.

"We don't have a set menu," Menke said. "When you come in, there is a board saying what sandwiches and soups are available. We source the coffee from Coal Creek. Our ice cream is great and our pies are freshly made. When the weather was warmer people would go for walks around town and then come in here and get pie and ice cream." Menke said food suppliers are charging higher prices for products. "I picked a bad time to open a cafe," Menke said. "But people mostly understand this is out of our hands. The hard part is many people around here are on fixed incomes and so people don't go out as much." Menke said she is grateful for visitors from out of town who come in and grab some food and coffee. "We had some hunters this morning," Menke said. "When the weather was warmer, we had bikers. They really helped our business." Menke looks at the cafe side of the building as an enhancement to the store that already existed. "The store side does well, but having the cafe has made this a place a little bit of a community center," Menke said. "It feels very nice to offer this for the town of Elk Mountain and the people living near it. It is an adventure to do this," Menke said. "Although it is not always easy, it is rewarding as I see the smiles on the faces of people enjoying what we offer." The hours of the cafe and convenience store are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., six days a week.