{"id":4760,"date":"2013-02-28T15:47:58","date_gmt":"2013-02-28T20:47:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/?p=4760"},"modified":"2017-11-19T10:42:00","modified_gmt":"2017-11-19T15:42:00","slug":"small-town-cafe-hidden-in-gift-shop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/small-town-cafe-hidden-in-gift-shop\/","title":{"rendered":"Small town cafe hidden in gift shop"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Yankee<\/a>Walking down the street in St. Mary\u2019s, Pennsylvania, you\u2019d probably walk right by the Village Peddler Country Store<\/a> if you were looking for a restaurant. Sure, there\u2019s a \u201cCaf\u00e9\u201d sign in the lower left corner of the plate glass window, but your eyes are caught instead by the colorful decorations and furnishings calling out for attention. It\u2019s a gift shop in its own right, but the caf\u00e9 inside is the real star of the show.<\/p>\n

Walking into 14 Erie Avenue in downtown St. Mary\u2019s, be ready for a pleasant shopping experience, as they display many things other than the typical mall-type gift store inventory.\u00a0 Heritage Lace will appeal to some, while home-made cream and butter fudge will tempt others. Lots of seasonal decorations are available; but this is far more than just a Christmas store.<\/p>\n

If you happen to be looking left as you enter, maybe you\u2019ll spot the archway leading into the next room. Follow those instincts and head into this terrific little dining area. Decorated like a streetscape, you can dine in front of faux shop windows or enter the little center room with two cozy booths and a table for two. The caf\u00e9 wraps around this center room with more tables looking into the kitchen. No matter where you sit, you feel like you are in an intimate area.\"Yankee<\/a><\/p>\n

When Doug and I arrived, we were actually met just inside the door by owner\/proprietor Todd Fitzgerald. Since it was dinnertime, and we must have looked hungry, he wasted no time showing us to a table and gave us menus.\u00a0 Starting right there, it all seemed like very much a family business, with three generations all working together.<\/p>\n

We had our orders taken by a young gentleman with a great personality who knew how to deliver first class service \u2013 clearing plates as soon as they were finished; but not appearing to hover.\u00a0 He gave some worthwhile hints regarding the specials and the menu items, pointing out that they had two homemade dressings for the salads. We ordered both the poppy seed and the dorte \u2013 both wonderful.<\/p>\n

\"Yankee<\/a>The salads were generous and obviously made fresh when we ordered them. Here it was the middle of winter and I don\u2019t know where the ingredients came from, but they couldn\u2019t have been any fresher.<\/p>\n

Doug was pleased with his tasty fish sandwich and side of bow-tie pasta and fresh fruit garnish. I ordered the spinach and cheese quiche with fresh fruit accompaniment. The presentation of the quiche and fruit was almost stained glass-like. The colors complimented each other so well, it was art first and a meal second.<\/p>\n

While we ate, we couldn\u2019t keep our eyes off the elevated cake plates on the half wall to the kitchen. For desert, Doug tried the Red Velvet Cherry Torte and I had the Hawaiian Wedding Cake which was out of this world. \u00a0\u00a0They offered a full slice or a half slice which was a refreshing option. Luckily I ordered the full slice. Heavenly.<\/p>\n

Next time you are checking out the chainsaw carving event<\/span> in nearby Ridgway, PA or the elk herds in Elk County<\/span>, do yourself a favor and stop at the Village Peddler<\/a> for lunch or dinner. Be prepared to spend a few minutes in conversation with Todd before you leave. He\u2019s a talker, but a super-friendly octogenarian with some great stories.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Walking down the street in St. Mary\u2019s, Pennsylvania, you\u2019d probably walk right by the Village Peddler Country Store if you were looking for a restaurant. Sure, there\u2019s a \u201cCaf\u00e9\u201d sign in the lower left corner of the plate glass window, but your eyes are caught instead by the colorful decorations and furnishings calling out for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":4762,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","cos_headline_score":0,"cos_seo_score":0,"cos_headline_text":"","cos_headline_has_been_analyzed":false,"cos_last_analyzed_headline":[],"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[608,3],"tags":[3648,3672,1216,1701],"class_list":["post-4760","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-news-blog","category-travel","tag-pa","tag-pennsylvania","tag-restaurant","tag-st-marys"],"featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?fit=600%2C450&ssl=1",600,450,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?fit=150%2C112&ssl=1",150,112,true],"medium":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?fit=300%2C225&ssl=1",300,225,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?fit=600%2C450&ssl=1",600,450,true],"large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?fit=600%2C450&ssl=1",600,450,true],"rpg_gallery_admin_thumb":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1",150,150,true],"rpg_gallery_thumb":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1",150,150,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?fit=600%2C450&ssl=1",600,450,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?fit=600%2C450&ssl=1",600,450,true],"gb-block-post-grid-landscape":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1",600,400,true],"gb-block-post-grid-square":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1",600,450,true],"et-pb-post-main-image":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?resize=400%2C250&ssl=1",400,250,true],"et-pb-post-main-image-fullwidth":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1",600,450,true],"et-pb-portfolio-image":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?resize=400%2C284&ssl=1",400,284,true],"et-pb-portfolio-module-image":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?resize=510%2C382&ssl=1",510,382,true],"et-pb-portfolio-image-single":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?fit=600%2C450&ssl=1",600,450,true],"et-pb-gallery-module-image-portrait":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?resize=400%2C450&ssl=1",400,450,true],"et-pb-post-main-image-fullwidth-large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1",600,450,true],"et-pb-image--responsive--desktop":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1",600,450,true],"et-pb-image--responsive--tablet":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1",600,450,true],"et-pb-image--responsive--phone":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?resize=480%2C270&ssl=1",480,270,true]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"

Walking down the street in St. Mary\u2019s, Pennsylvania, you\u2019d probably walk right by the Village Peddler Country Store if you were looking for a restaurant. Sure, there\u2019s a \u201cCaf\u00e9\u201d sign in the lower left corner of the plate glass window, but your eyes are caught instead by the colorful decorations and furnishings calling out for attention. It\u2019s a gift shop in its own right, but the caf\u00e9 inside is the real star of the show. Walking into 14 Erie Avenue in downtown St. Mary\u2019s, be ready for a pleasant shopping experience, as they display many things other than the typical…<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"Blog<\/a>, Travel<\/a>","author_info_v2":{"name":"Maureen","url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/author\/maureen\/"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","author_meta":{"display_name":"Maureen","author_link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/author\/maureen\/"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?fit=300%2C225&ssl=1","featured_image_src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1","author_info":{"display_name":"Maureen","author_link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/author\/maureen\/"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Village-Peddler-7209.jpg?fit=600%2C450&ssl=1","coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["Blog<\/a>","Travel<\/a>"],"unlinked":["Blog<\/span>","Travel<\/span>"]},"tags":{"linked":["PA<\/a>","Pennsylvania<\/a>","Restaurant<\/a>","St. Marys<\/a>"],"unlinked":["PA<\/span>","Pennsylvania<\/span>","Restaurant<\/span>","St. Marys<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":0,"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 13 years ago","modified":"Updated 8 years ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on February 28, 2013","modified":"Updated on November 19, 2017"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on February 28, 2013 3:47 pm","modified":"Updated on November 19, 2017 10:42 am"},"featured_img_caption":"Village Peddler restaurant","series_order":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p21Ejy-1eM","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4767,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/getting-to-know-st-marys-pa\/","url_meta":{"origin":4760,"position":0},"title":"Getting to know St. Marys, PA","author":"Doug","date":"February 28, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"In the Pennsylvania Wilds, there\u2019s the pleasant little town of St. Marys, PA. About 120 miles northeast of\u00a0Pittsburgh\u00a0and 120 miles due south from Buffalo, NY, you\u2019ll find this city that was home to the first Benedictine convent in the US. Straub Brewery also calls St. Marys home. We spent three\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/latest-news-blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Cozy Afghan B&B","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Cozy-Afghan-1-.jpg?fit=600%2C398&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Cozy-Afghan-1-.jpg?fit=600%2C398&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Cozy-Afghan-1-.jpg?fit=600%2C398&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12460,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/foodie-discoveries-gettysburg\/","url_meta":{"origin":4760,"position":1},"title":"Foodie discoveries in Gettysburg","author":"Maureen","date":"January 17, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Most people think of the battlefields when they hear Gettysburg, but that is slowly changing.\u00a0 Gettysburg now has a way to get their tourists to experience some of the fine cuisine that\u2019s always been there.\u00a0 It\u2019s called\u2026 Savor Gettysburg Food Tours Food tours are getting popular throughout the country, and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Travel"","block_context":{"text":"Travel","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Gettysburg delicacies","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Gettysburg-3.jpg?fit=1067%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Gettysburg-3.jpg?fit=1067%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Gettysburg-3.jpg?fit=1067%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Gettysburg-3.jpg?fit=1067%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Gettysburg-3.jpg?fit=1067%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5836,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/kinsale-a-picturesque-harbor-town-in-county-cork\/","url_meta":{"origin":4760,"position":2},"title":"Kinsale – a picturesque harbor town in County Cork","author":"Maureen","date":"July 5, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Popular with the yachting community, Kinsale is a beautiful little town in southern Ireland, clustered around a harbor. White sails still reflect the sun as small and medium sized sailboats come and go, some preparing for the many sailing competitions held here annually. In the 17th & 18th centuries, Kinsale\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Travel"","block_context":{"text":"Travel","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Colorful storefronts in Kinsale","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/Kinsale-2464.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/Kinsale-2464.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/Kinsale-2464.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":32796,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/fall-roadtrip-7-mid-atlantic-states-food-fun\/","url_meta":{"origin":4760,"position":3},"title":"Fall Roadtrip 7 – Mid-Atlantic states for food fun","author":"Press Release","date":"August 22, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"If you are a history buff, you'll love driving around the Mid-Atlantic States.\u00a0 Revolutionary War, Civil War, whatever; history awaits at just about every major crossroad.\u00a0 In addition, food is phenomenal in so many unexpected places. With fall leaves changing later in this region, this is a great place to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Travel"","block_context":{"text":"Travel","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A pair of scrapple slices","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/4959867234_e1d949df86_b.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/4959867234_e1d949df86_b.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/4959867234_e1d949df86_b.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/4959867234_e1d949df86_b.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":32311,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/an-overabundance-of-great-restaurant-choices-in-annapolis\/","url_meta":{"origin":4760,"position":4},"title":"An overabundance of great restaurant choices in Annapolis","author":"Doug","date":"April 27, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"This is the third part of a four-part mini-series on Annapolis, MD.\u00a0The series covers Historic Annapolis, Family Water Fun, Places to Eat and Places to Stay. \u00a0 Food choices are phenomenal\u00a0 If there\u2019s one certainty about Annapolis, it\u2019s the\u00a0depth and breadth of dining choices within the city. When I last\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Travel"","block_context":{"text":"Travel","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Iron Rooster breakfast","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Annapolis-01797.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Annapolis-01797.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Annapolis-01797.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Annapolis-01797.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Annapolis-01797.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4805,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/ridgway-pa-center-of-all-season-outdoor-fun\/","url_meta":{"origin":4760,"position":5},"title":"Ridgway, PA \u2013 center of all-season outdoor fun","author":"Doug","date":"March 2, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"In February every year, the internationally renowned Chainsaw Carving Rendezvous takes place in Ridgway, Pennsylvania. Since my great grandfather was their town physician around the turn of the 20th century, we decided to go see the Rendevous and also check out Dr. Bardwell\u2019s office on Main Street. What we discovered\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/latest-news-blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Ridgway, PA Courthouse","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Ridgway-Courthouse-79651.jpg?fit=399%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4760","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4760"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4760\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4762"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4760"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4760"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4760"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}