Small business: the life blood of rural communities

By Alyssa Stromberg

When you drive into a small rural area, you won’t find large retailers or fancy restaurants. What you find are businesses that are family owned/operated and they have been part of the community for years.

Medicine Lake is a very small rural town, with two bars/restaurants, a homestyle restaurant, a floral/gift shop, ag business and two churches. So, imagine the excitement and anticipation when a local began the process of opening a Mexican restaurant.

Corey and Tricia Jensen and their two children moved into Medicine Lake in 2018. They quickly became ingrained in the community. While Tricia was working at another local business, the café which had closed became available. The reality of a Mexi- can restaurant began taking shape, a vision was becoming a reality. Saturday, July 22, 2023, Sweetheart Café officially opened its doors; from what I have heard from all those that were there for the opening day, it was a success. I certainly enjoyed my lunch today.

When I asked Tricia why a Mexican restaurant she replied, “it’s in my heritage, it’s what I love.” From the start of the vision to the doors opening was approximately a year and half, a labor of love no doubt. Any speed bumps Tricia and Corey encountered, they tackled them together and with an optimistic outlook and a smile on their faces. Whether it was inspections not going their way or a roofing redo, Corey feels like he will never be able to completely part ways with the dang roof.

Owning a business is not for the faint of heart, it is a labor of love and a leap of faith. Next time you are needing your Mexican food fix, stop in and say hello to Tricia and her staff. You will leave full and with a few more friends.

You

Thank you to New Century Ag for buying my 2023 market hog at the Sheridan County 4-H Youth Livestock Auction. I appreciate you buying my hog and supporting 4H!

Gavin Jensen