Country Pleasures Café celebrates 25 years

A local restaurant known for its homemade food is celebrating 25 years in business.

Country Pleasures Café is “the hometown café that knows you when you walk in the door,” said co-owner John Hazuka. He owns the café with his wife Denise.

The couple took over the business from Marie Fjerstad, who had called the restaurant Pies N’ Stuff. The reputation of the restaurant was built around excellent pies. When the Hazukas took over, they expanded the dessert menu.

When they opened 25 years ago, the Hazukas started offering more overall dessert options, especially with cakes. Dessert choices for a typical lunch might include Reeses peanut butter pie, apple pudding, traditional apple pie and chocolate cake with ice cream. The café’s carrot cake with cream cheese frosting has been a favorite each time the dessert is on the Country Pleasures Café menu.

The café has catered hundreds of events over the years, John Hazuka said, including weddings and corporate dinners. They were chosen to cater a governor’s lunch when the governor visited Rochester. Throughout their 25 years in business, the Hazukas report watching the community grow, change and prosper.

“Not many small businesses see 25 years,” Hazuka said. “There have been many come and go, but nothing can replace, ‘How are you doing this morning? Can I get you a cup of coffee?’ when you walk in the door.”

Denise and her staff want to say thank you to the community and celebrate the 25-year anniversary with them by offering four cinnamon rolls for $5 on Saturday, Oct. 10. They will be packaged to go and will be available drive up style while supplies last.  Bring exact cash if possible. Add a cinnamon roll to any meal for $1 while dining in.