Two weeks in, and Mike and Suzanne Rayburn already have regulars in their new shop called Bodega. Brewing their own Camino Coffee and serving delicious, baked goods are just the tip of the iceberg – or should I say one slice of the pie – of what they have to offer out of their Newnan home garage. It took years for Mike and Suzanne to set up shop.
However, the seemingly endless process is now overshadowed by their excitement and relief of finally opening their place in January this year. “We have a big family and cooking has always been a big part of our lives,” Suzanne states. “With six children, not everyone can have your crowd over!” You’re a permanent host.
The Rayburns have always loved to gather around food and drink. It was the best excuse to get together with family and friends, and in their opinion, the best way to entertain themselves. So when their children grew up and the couple found themselves with a bit more time, the Brown St Bodega came to be. The name Bodega is a bit quirky. In the US, it often describes a neighborhood corner market that may also have a deli counter or take out food.
But it comes from a Spanish word that describes a storehouse, especially one in a winery. A bit ironic because the couple doesn’t claim to have large amounts of storage, however they are filling it with “gourmet essentials”. There’s slow dried pasta and cured meats from Italy, Greek olives, European cheeses, and local honey and jelly from Georgia.
The feel of a warm, cozy, Mediterranean shop with fine food and beverages is exactly what Bodega captures. Their menu consists of coffee, of course, but also breakfast and lunch. They serve everything from a simple latte to their “Proper Roast Beef” sandwich which includes their house made mustard and horseradish.
You can view their whole menu on their website, www.brownstbodega.com. They shared with me that they are proud that they don’t cut corners on ingredients, and they bake their own cakes, cookies, pies and biscuits.“Good food doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated,” Mike states. “There are ways people have been cooking the same foods for hundreds of years. Food made with tried and true methods, using great ingredients, can be really satisfying”
Although the core of their menu will remain consistent, each week will present new flavors for certain dishes. Follow them on Instagram to stay up to date. Who knows, you may become a regular yourself in no time!
The address is 22 Jackson Street, Suite C, in Newnan. However, the Bodega is located at the back of the lot on the corner of Brown Street and Wesley St. They are open Thursday and Friday from 7:00 A. M. to 2:00 P. M. and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 A. M. to 2:00 P. M. They are closed Monday through Wednesday. For more information, call them at 470-215-5959.
