Restaurant owner to sell or close business by end of year

Audra Best followed in her family’s footsteps when she opened a restaurant.

She’s about to close up shop to follow her family back home.

Best, who comes from a family of entrepreneurs, opened Corner Cafe and Grill in Pleasant Gap in 2015. The plan was to build a restaurant with a small town feel with her son, Owen. They did it together, but the family got bigger as the business grew, leading Best to make a decision.

“Business has picked up to where I’m extremely busy, and to comfortably balance business or family I have to choose one or the other,” she said. “And I’m choosing to commit time to family. The restaurant business is a lot of work, but I do love it here with great people and a great atmosphere. It’s been a really hard decision, but family is No. 1.”

Best will sell the business as a turn-key cafe or close it at the end of the year. She will continue to bake and cater “from an alternative location” and will do delivery. She will also sell baked goods at Ingram’s Market and Nittany Meats.

Best hopes to sell to someone who loves the community. A few people have shown interest, she said,

“I would tell (a buyer) to keep it similar, keep it small town and friendly, but also do your own thing,” Best said. “I’d be willing to give my recipes, but I’d also say have fun, do some of your own recipes and enjoy it. One of the best things is watching people enjoy the fresh taste of your food.”

Conversations have not gotten far for a sale, because it was only in the last week the family decided to sell or close the business.

“It was a dream (to do this),” Best said. “I’m satisfied that I created something people love with my family’s recipes and baking and fresh foods. So I’m satisfied I made it work, but because I am that family-oriented person, unfortunately, I’m choosing them.”

This story was originally published November 9, 2017 at 6:49 AM with the headline "Restaurant owner to sell or close business by end of year."