Wimberley Café sold

One of the most talked about properties in Wimberley has officially sold as the Wimberley Café is off the market.

Despite the consistent rumors about who was going to be purchasing the café each and every week, local restaurateurs Jay and Jennifer Bachman, who own The Back Porch, have made the move forward.

“It is incredibly exciting to be a part of such an integral part of Wimberley – its past, its people and its future,” Jay Bachman said. “It is a tremendous opportunity to continue the work of what Mac and Robin have started. It is something that is so beneficial to this community, something that has a lasting legacy and something that really means something to everyone in this community. It is important to kept that. That is worth saving.”

The McCulloughs bought the property in 2003 just days after it had changed hands between Evo Minni and the owners of Marco’s Italian.

While the café was initially meant to be run by Mac’s sister Sissy and her daughter, it never takes long for plans to change.

“Robin was the only person in the family against buying it, because she knew she would end up running it,” Mac McCullough said.

But it also didn’t take long for Robin to fall in love with running the local diner.

“I didn’t want to run it, but when I walked through here and saw the old men here having coffee, it brought back memories of my dad in a small town doing the same thing at the local café,” Robin Mc-Cullough said. “I had a good feeling, and I just fell in love with it. I love the café and the part I play in it. I love our people and our staff. Selling it is not something I took easily. There were a few times over the years I put my foot down and said no we aren’t selling it.”

But there always comes a time.

The McCulloughs had quiet a few offers over the years, but they were waiting for the right buyers. They finally found them.

“If we had sat down and formally made a list of desired traits or personalities, I don’t think we would have been inclusive enough of what they (the Bachmans) bring,” Mac said. “They bring every single talent that we’ve thought about that would be important to the community.”

The Bachmans have already shown the community that they can put good food on the table at The Back Porch. This project will be a little bit different.

“The Wimberley Café works,” Jay Bachman said. “It is great and fills a need for the community. It is important, and we want to keep that. The café will have a familiar look. There might be a little refresh in a few areas and a bit of stream lining, but overall it will remain the same. There will be the same food items, but we’ll have a few additions.”

The largest planned change is extended hours to include dinner – breakfast and lunch will still be available as usual. Executive Chef Jody Merritt will come over from The Back Porch to help expand the menu. While their will be changes, much of the café will stay the same.

“I’m not sure change is the right word,” Jay Bachman said. “I would say adapt... We want to serve the old and the young, the loyal and those who have drifted away, locals and out of town guest, professionals and stay at home moms. Everyone is welcome and deserves a quality experience.”

But don’t expect much to change at The Bach Porch, which will still be running with businesses as usual.

“We set it up months ago to run effectively without us, because we’ve been looking for another growth opportunity within the community,” Jennifer Bachman said. “We have small children here that we want to grow up here, so we want to stay in the community… Our staff at The Back Porch are running the restaurant effectively without us doing any more than shaking customers hands as they walk in to eat.”

There will also be two new partners in the restaurant along with the Bachmans. Shawn and Christina Stoever will be part of the team. The Stoevers recently watched their son Cade graduate from Wimberley High School on his way to play football for the University of Texas San Antonio. They have two children still in the WISD school system and a wealth of restaurant experience. Jennifer met the Stoevers while she was a coach at Wimberley High School.

“We are taking our life experiences and pouring them into the café, but we are also excited that Shawn and Christina Stoever will be coming along side us with the experiences they have had in the restaurant business and customer service,” Jay Bachman said. “They love this town and the people in it, and I know they are excited to team up with us... Shawn’s restaurant experience worldwide is unbeatable, although he is very humble and quiet and you’d never know it.”

The transfer of ownership is expected to be official on October 1. Construction on the roof is scheduled for September 17 and there may be some short-term closures during September as the new owners get ready to move in.