For 10 years, The Cafe has continued to grow despite rising prices of locally grown goods in Ames.

Kevin Rettig, owner and general manager, is confident that they’re not going anywhere and ready to keep business going. Rettig co-owns the shop with partners Pat Breen and Bob Cummins.

“It’s a great spot. I’ve lived here most of 20 years. The city of Ames has a lot to offer because it’s a college town,” stated Rettig.

The Cafe has a menu that changes every six weeks, but this is not the only thing that keeps people coming back. “Everyone loves this building when they walk into it,” said Reddig.

“It was well designed; it’s very comfortable in here. The way the dining room is set up every booth has its own visual space. It has a comfortable feeling.”

“From a menu standpoint we’ve always tried to take familiar comfort food and put our little bit of spin on it. Change I think is very important to this restaurant, to not only the food but also how we go about our business; continually improving.”

Customer and ISU student Kaitlyn Romitti has always enjoyed her multiple experiences to the vendor.

“It’s hard to really choose a favorite dish. There isn’t a live band or anything crazy like that, but they do play music, mostly jazzy stuff from what I’ve noticed and it’s a nice compliment to the atmosphere of the restaurant.”

For 15 years Rettig worked with his current business partners at local business, Aunt Maude’s, starting at the bottom, washing dishes and working his way up to his current position. Eventually he had the opportunity to start up The Cafe, and despite economic downturn, it’s still managing to grow today.

“You just know when you’re in something that’s right,” stated Rettig on why he chose to start a business in a nearly undeveloped area of Ames.

There aren’t any special plans for the anniversary as of now. Rettig admitted that he’s been bouncing around small ideas like bringing back old menu items, but doing things that are over the top isn’t really in their nature.