Crystal Lapierre Takes the Reins at Peacham Café 

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• Crystal Lapierre

Just over the hill from Red Barn Brewing, Peacham residents came together to open the community-supported Peacham Café in August 2014. For the first year and a half, Ariel Zevon ran the kitchen, along with her mother, Crystal Zevon, and Michelle Morton.

Late last winter, Ariel Zevon decided to transition to catering full time, and the café board began searching for a new owner-operator to reopen the venue in June after its annual winter break.

When Caledonia County native Crystal Lapierre heard about the position, she initially wasn't interested. Though she'd spent a good chunk of her life working in restaurants, and eight years running the deli at Marty's 1st Stop in Danville, she was hesitant to reenter the food-service business after three years as a stay-at-home mom. But when the position came up again, Lapierre recalled, standing behind the café counter last week, "I said yes."

Why the change of heart?

"I wanted to show my daughter that you can do anything," she said. "It's fun and exciting and scary all at the same time."

For now, Lapierre said, she's "going to keep everything really low-key, at least to start." She'll serve pastries and egg sandwiches with coffee, tea and espresso during breakfast; and soups, salads and deli sandwiches at lunch. Later this summer, Lapierre plans to add a proper sit-down breakfast on weekends.

As for ingredients, seasonal produce will come from nearby Willow Brook Farm, while meats and dairy will come from other area farms. They'll be available — along with staples such as eggs, butter and milk — for purchase from the café's market case.

As of this week, Peacham Café is open Tuesday through Sunday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.