Terri Bolles, owner of Terri’s Hot Shots 2, makes a morning blended drink for one of her customers.
Ryan Lely/ Sonoma Valley Sun
Rocket blasts off on Highway 12 – Say goodbye to Moosetta’s and hello to Rocket, which will open next week in the storefront next to Sonoma Blueprint. New owners are Martha Heyerly and her daughters Liz and Molly. Husband Wayne has been helping out, too, so this is a real family affair. They’ve completely upgraded the space to create a casual café with a modern, industrial-chic vibe. Stainless steel chairs and cherry wood tables fill the small dining room, and sofas and handmade benches provide spots for relaxing with an espresso.
They’ll serve light breakfast, lunch and dinner, with an emphasis on take-out and catering. Menus will feature fresh, seasonal products, and will change weekly.
When asked about the café’s name, Heyerly said that the family chose it after a little brainstorming over a bottle of champagne. The salad green, arugula, is also called rocket, so it’s a play on words for foodies. And besides, it’s just a cool name.
Rocket Café Takeaway & Catering. 18812 Hwy. 12. Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, but are subject to change, so it’s best to call ahead. 707.939.8612.
Calling her own Shots – Never in her wildest dreams did Terri Bolles think she’d own her own business. But after working for Hot Shots’ owner Dave Mock for 11 years, she purchased the drive-through coffee cart from him, and she’s now the proud owner of Terri’s Hot Shots 2 on Arnold Drive next to La Dee’s Diner. (Mock still owns the original Hot Shots on Broadway.)
Bolles said she was pretty nervous at first, but Mock has helped her through the transition, and she still buys her coffee from his Andromeda Coffee Company. Her loyal customers have been helpful, too, even moving and painting the cart for free. The customers are the best part of the business, according to Bolles, and some of her regulars have been coming for as long as 10 years.
Owning the business has given her the opportunity to introduce new items, such as organic milk. She also plans to remodel the interior of the cart soon.
Bolles serves about 150 cups of coffee a day, along with a variety of pastries. She also serves smoothies and iced drinks in the summer.
She’s there every Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Stop by and say congratulations!
Terri’s Hot Shots 2. 18709 Arnold Dr. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 5 to 11:30 a.m.
Kitchen aid – Fundraising is underway for the commercial kitchen in the new Valley of the Moon Teen Center, now under construction and slated for completion this spring. They’ve applied for a $45,000 grant for equipment purchases, and are seeking other donations as well. The kitchen will be used for special events, cooking classes and culinary training programs for teens.
Checks are always welcome, but here’s another way to help. Go to Sign of the Bear on the Plaza and take a look at their gift registry. There you’ll find all sorts of things on the Teen Center’s kitchen wish list, from whisks and potato peelers to pressure cookers and stockpots. You can spend as little as $5 for a spatula or as much as $300 for a Viking toaster. The beauty of this fundraising approach is that you’re helping a deserving non-profit while supporting a local business.
Or, if you just can’t bear to even think about any more shopping after the holidays, but still want to make a donation, you can send a check to VOM Teen Center, P.O. Box 2053, Boyes Hot Springs, CA 95416.
