Shining Star Café

Shannon McKay says she and her partner, Nathaniel Haas spent two summers looking up and down the East and West coasts, searching for that perfect spot to open up their new business. She said they worked at Gold Lake Resort for years and had absorbed as much as they could about every aspect of running a business. They knew they wanted to open their own business some day. Then one winter it dawned on them. They should open their business "right here", in Nederland. “It’s a great town, we like the people, and it’s a small community. It had everything we were looking for.”

Haas is a musician and a chef. Small acts are booked on their warm, inviting stage. “He gets to incorporate what he really likes, and I’ve got the bookkeeping side of it.” McKay said that people have been great. “As we were painting the fence outside and sprucing the place up, people were stopping by and giving their support. Its continued since we’ve opened our doors. We have a lot of regulars that keep coming in, you know, all locals. Its just been a really great place to have a business. You can feel the support in the community. People notice that you’re here and they care that you’re here…and that’s why we want to give back to the community, too.”

Hass is trained as a fine dining chef. He has decided to limit the menu to breakfast and lunch due to the 'historic' building’s small kitchen. He mainly focuses on taking normal fare, and adding flair to it. “All of these amazing sauces are home-made; honey-mayo, pesto sauce, his roasted red pepper sauce. McCay said sometimes she feels like people are ‘going out on a limb' trying Nathaniel’s normal dishes with the twist of one of his sauces. She said so far, they’ve had 100% satisfaction.” She says its 'food with a twist.' "Nathaniel cares very much about the presentation, and the consistency of the food." “They are striving to make a name for themselves among a lot of large businesses that have opened up. They are “the little guy here at the end of the street.”

McKay said their ‘business is growing,’ and they are finding their ‘tables full mid-week’ and they ‘know almost everyone’s names and they are starting to know what people want,’ etc. “It’s really starting to feel like a local breakfast spot.” McKay said they ‘wrote a business plan with the hopes that it would provide a community ‘meeting’ spot, “and its been really nice, seeing that coming to fruition.”

So, if you find yourself in Nederland, and want to enjoy a tasty meal in a comfortable setting, stop by the little cafe' at the end of First Street, The Shining Star Cafe'.