Restaurateur discovers success with organics

The experience of running one restaurant has translated into success the second time for co-owner Tricia Davis and Uptown Organics, her newest venture.

Davis is the former owner of Cena to Go, a Tumwater business that offered do-it-yourself, take-home meals that closed last year.

Davis, who operated the business for about a year, calls it a learning experience.

"It was an expensive year of market research, but it paid off well for us," Davis said about her new restaurant. "We really figured out what customers want."

After Cena to Go closed, Davis and her husband, Buddy, opened Uptown Organics in the same Tumwater location, emphasizing healthful sandwiches and salads made with organic ingredients.

Turning a profit

The restaurant and catering business soon took off, turning a profit in three months, Tricia Davis said.

The couple also opened a second Uptown Organics in the Woodland Square Loop area of Lacey, and a third restaurant is planned for downtown Olympia.

Davis said the couple expects to open the Olympia store in June in the former Taco Del Mar restaurant location across from Sylvester Park.

Customer Casey Stewart of Olympia, who was picking up an order of sandwiches in Tumwater on Thursday, said she is looking forward to the new location because it will be a little closer to her west-side home.

"It's a good, affordable place to come and get a good meal," Stewart said.

Steady customer

Suzanne Hall of Olympia, who had lunch at the restaurant Thursday, said she learned about the business and its food at a reception that was catered by Uptown Organics.

Since it opened, she has dined at the restaurant about 10 times, Hall said.

She usually orders salads and said the food is delicious, and because it's all organic, she doesn't feel guilty afterwards.

"You can't beat that, can you?" Hall said.

Menu prices range from $3.25 for a cup of soup to $9.50 for most sandwiches and salads.

The Sedona salad is made with organic roast turkey, goat cheese, baked croutons, caramelized onions, hazelnuts and citrus vinaigrette, according to the menu.

Sandwich choices

Among the sandwich selections is the Raleigh, also made with organic roast turkey, swiss cheese, hummus, spinach and tomato, the menu shows.

Davis said the inspiration for the business came from her family, whom she has always tried to serve healthful meals.

Though Cena to Go wasn't successful, Davis learned there was a market for a healthy, comfortable place to have lunch.

"It's turned into something we're proud of," she said.

Rolf Boone is a business reporter for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5403 or rboone@theolympian.com.