Two years ago, Casey bought an old and descript horse trailer in Vermont and brought it back to New York. She has spent those two years repairing, fixing, and painting it with the help of Dan Rogers, a gifted craftsman. She’s worked hard planning the next step in her ambition to make good food for people.

I helped paint it one morning but was fired for incompetence at painting. No surprise there. I’m fond of Casey; she works hard and is one of those dreamers who doesn’t quit. She is intelligent, creative and determined.

Today marked a significant milestone in Casey’s entrepreneurial journey. She unveiled the newly renovated horse trailer at the Farmer’s Market, and to her delight, the response was overwhelming.

The line was long throughout the day, a testament to the quality of her offerings and the anticipation surrounding her future plans.

This dream would have been good enough for many people, but not for Casey.

She has plans for the wagon but even bigger dreams. She just signed a lease with Hubbard Hall, our arts and theater center, and will occupy the space inside that was a Round House Cafe Restaurant until the pandemic shut it down.

Casey’s dream goes beyond the confines of a horse trailer. It turns out that is just a first step.

She envisions a charming cafe reminiscent of old country stores tucked in the heart of our community. The space, now occupied by the Round House Cafe Restaurant, has lots of excellent and fresh food. She’s working with farmers and coffee makers.

Her planned menus will include morning coffee, teas, donuts, lunch sandwiches, and maybe even a wine bar at night.

I’m eager to get hot chocolate, coffee, and muffins there, so I’ll stop for lunch. Casey is planning to open sometime in June. As the dream gets more extensive and more ambitious, so does Casey. It’s wonderful to see dreams come true. She has no illusions about the challenges of starting a small business in a small town.

If anyone can do it, she can.