March 29, 2024

Two businesses on square join Chamber

An oversized pair of scissors made an appearance at a pair of ribbon cuttings Thursday.

The Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed two businesses, Midtown Café and the recently-opened Timeless Stories. Both businesses have been open for a awhile now but Darrell Sarmento, Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce executive director, hosted both of the ribbon cuttings at noon. Both businesses are located on the town square.

Marge Horstam, Gary Sharpnack and Dee Sharpnack, the owners of Midtown Café, have been working at the cafe for a combined 27 years. Since taking over the café, the three have repainted the cafe, purchased new equipment and cleaned carpets. Dee said that anything served at the cafe is what she would serve at home.

“We’re trying to get back to the homestyle as much as we can,” Horstam said.

Sarmento said that the chamber currently is looking for an artist to donate a new logo for the café and possibly obtain new signage for the store front. The businesses owners also operate the businesses, something that Sarmento said can be stressful.

“There’s nothing better than an owner and an operator in this town,” Sarmento said.

Midtown Café is planning on opening for dinner hours as well, but Sarmento said that the owners wish to stabilize business first.

“We don’t want them to burn out,” Sarmento said. “We want them to love doing this and keep it going.”

The origin of Timeless Stories is a story in itself.

Michele and David Williams have a shared passion for books. But one day, David surprised his wife with a rented store for her to open Timeless Stories.

“Ever since I was little I wanted to own a bookstore,” Michele said. “That is my lifelong dream.”

In addition to old books — one being a German Bible from 1827 — they also have present day books. The oldest book in the couple’s collection is actually a safe made to look like a book that is from 1723.

Timeless Stories sells and purchases books. The Williams are looking for books for their personal collection as well as books to resell.

“This is a hobby gone wild,” Michele said.

Staff writer Dave Hon may be contacted at (641) 792-3121, ext. 425, or at dhon@newtondailynews.com.