“This is a family business and we treat everybody who comes in like family,” said Shelly Kate.
Kate’s daughter, Ashley Kate Harper, is the weekend manager while her daughter’s husband, Adam Harper, is a graphic designer, who excels in sandwich preparation, and Kate’s niece, Leah Lancaster is a full-time baker.
Rich Kate grew up in Racine, Wis., but attended St. Mark’s Boarding School in Massachusetts. After graduating from high school in 1968, he earned a degree in Russian History from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis. Following graduation, Kate began his career in retail management including positions at “American TV & Appliance,” Roberds and in manufacturing for Delphi. He met Shelly while working in Green Bay, Wis.
Shelly Kate grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the small town of Iron River.
“It was an iron ore mining area ... that’s what my father was doing there,” said Kate, who graduated from West Iron County High School in 1972.
The couple, who recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, raised three children, Denny Ponozzo and Craig Ponozzo from Shelly’s first marriage and Ashley Kate Harper, who graduated from Centerville High School in 2004 and later from Wright State University with a degree in early childhood education.
Denny Ponozzo lives in Madison, Wis., with his wife, Kim and their two children, Antonio and Jack. Craig Ponozzo lived in Iron River, Mich., with his daughter, Kayley, until three years ago when he was killed in a snow mobile accident.
“He died doing something he loved,” said Shelly Kate, whose family photo wall at the Centerville “My Favorite Muffin” includes a collage of photos of her son, Craig. “I talk to lots of people who have lost children and spouses and I try to give them hope. I’ve been entrusted with a story I never wanted, but I can use my loss to bring joy and hope to others. That’s what motivates me.”
The Kates moved to Centerville in 1996, to live near Shelly Kate’s sister, Marlane Bengry of Bellbrook. After Shelly’s father passed away, her mother, Marlane Bengry, also moved to Centerville, where Shelly managed a cleaning business until buying My Favorite Muffin with her husband in May 2008.
Some changes the couple have made to the business include an expanded deli section that focuses on lunch specialties, the introduction of Icespresso, cold coffee drinks and more flavored coffees, and a “muffin of the week.” They include the Pineapple Upside Down Muffin created by Sinclair Culinary Program graduate, Jessica Cantrell, who runs the bakery and lives in Centerville.
The Kates recently have expanded into catering and wholesale marketing to cafeterias and other institutions and also have added hours, closing at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“We were one of the few businesses that had power after the hurricane hit last fall,” said Rich Kate, who found residents lined up at his door at 6 a.m., a half hour before the store opened. “They wanted their coffee and we were happy to serve them. Some people came for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We were so busy that Tim Sutmiller, the property manager for Don Wright, came and helped us by making coffee. The message we want to get out there is that we plan to remain the neighborhood coffee shop.”
Contact this columnist at (937) 432-9054 or jjbaer@aol.com.
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