There will soon be a new option for ‘going out for breakfast’ in downtown St. Joseph. The Copper Pot Breakfast Café opens its doors, fires up the grill, and begins making coffee Thursday morning, November 16 on the corner of Main and Pleasant Streets.
The Copper Pot is being carved out of the 221 Main Restaurant and Cocktail House complex and will occupy the South portion, most recently the home to the 221 bar and one dining room. The bar moved to the North end in a larger space—freeing up the perfect spot for a 66-seat breakfast café.
“Café” is the key word in the concept, according to Tawn Montgomery, who has personally created the new business with husband Robert Montgomery. The couple has tweaked and fine tuned their 221 Main restaurant into one of downtown St. Joseph’s most successful spots over the past eleven years.
Tawn tells us the Copper Pot will be much more than just a place to grab a quick breakfast, although that option will be available. She acknowledges that there are several good ‘breakfast spots’ in the area. However, she believes the breakfast ‘experience’ is largely lacking. And that’s the niche the Copper Pot Breakfast Café hopes to fill.
Tawn says the new place has been coming together in her mind for about three years. The menu, the recipes, the atmosphere, the ambiance. Tawn and Robert say a lot of thought has gone into every aspect, just like it did in the other changes they’ve made over the years.
When diners sample The Copper Pot, they’ll find a menu with many choices, lots of variety. There are eight variations of pancakes and French Toast, including two Signature items and a gluten-free choice. Waffle lovers will find five options, including ‘Elephant Ear French Toast’ with a dusting of cinnamon sugar and homemade cinnamon butter. Omelets? Choose from Farmer’s, Garden, California, or Huntsman (meat lover’s).
And then there are The Benedicts! Robert says when they began talking about a breakfast café, customers almost universally mentioned Eggs Benedict. Many places don’t have the dish, and those that do are often ‘ordinary.’ So, there’s a special section on the Copper Pot menu titled “Benny’s”. From Canadian Bacon and grilled ham to smoked salmon and roasted veggies, the Copper Pot is claiming ‘headquarters for Benny’s’.
Robert acknowledges everyone isn’t looking for a special recipe at breakfast and points to ‘Bob’s Breakfast’—named after Robert’s Dad and offering two eggs, bacon or sausage, country toast and ‘morning potatoes. There are also several ‘combos’ that mix and match favorite items with eggs.
The Montgomery’s are especially excited about a partnership they’ve forged with Brian Maynard’s Forte Coffee in St. Joseph. Forte has created an exclusive Copper Pot Breakfast Blend: 70% Medium and 30% Dark Roast. A variety of specialty coffee creations will be available with Copper Pot Special Blend as the starting point.
With a beer, wine and liquor license, The Copper Pot will also feature alcoholic beverages from its ‘Eye Openers’ and ‘Mimosas’ menu. A Bloody Mary, espresso martini, and Morning Michelada are some of the highlights.
Tawn will be focused on the Copper Pot mornings while Robert continues to be ‘the man out front’ evenings at 221 Main. Tawn says she won’t necessarily be the hostess greeting guests; however, she’ll be managing every aspect of the new breakfast restaurant. The Montgomery’s say the Copper Pot will maintain the Thursday through Sunday schedule that’s been successful for 221 ever since the Covid reopening. They are pleased with what they call ‘a work-life balance’ that they’ve been able to create for themselves, while still achieving success in their business. They say their employees are also very happy with the four days a week schedule. 25-30 employees work at 221 year around, plus additional Summer help. At least seven new employees have been hired for The Copper Pot.
The breakfast café hours will be 7-11 AM Thursday and Friday, 7-1 Saturday and 7-2 Sunday. Tables of varying size as well as counter seating will be available.
