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Those of you who frequent the Pocketstone have noticed our recent somewhat erratic schedule. We know it's been tough on you, who for most of the past ten years have come to count on our regular schedule as part of your dietary plan. The Covid challenge has disrupted our lives in many ways, an unexpected shortage of workers being one of them. But with an aggressive approach to finding and hiring some of the best cooks in the Valley, we believe we have that problem under control.

Thus, we're planning to re-open on our regular, seven-day schedule starting Saturday, April 3. We appreciate the patience you have shown and hope for your continuing patronage. It is our intention to be open every day going forward and we'll achieve that intention, as they say, "Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise."

David Vale, Co-owner

We have struggled mightily to remain open on a seven day a week schedule. But we have failed. The current shortage of cooks who are talented and available to work has caused us to be unable to do so. So, for the forseeable future, we will operate on a five day a week schedule, open from Tuesday through Saturday. (Closed Sunday and Monday) Although the cooks we have are willing to do what it takes to serve our customers, working them seven days a week would be a formula for disaster.

So, we hope to see you during the days we are open. And be assured that, despite the fact we're open less, when we're open the food and service will be of the quality you've come to expect from the Pocketstone.

Stay healthy!

David Vale, Co-owner

Those of you who frequent the Pocketstone have noticed our recent somewhat erratic schedule. We know it's been tough on you, who for most of the past ten years have come to count on our regular schedule as part of your dietary plan. The Covid challenge has disrupted our lives in many ways, an unexpected shortage of workers being one of them. But with an aggressive approach to finding and hiring some of the best cooks in the Valley, we believe we have that problem under control.

Thus we are, once again, open every day. We appreciate the patience you have shown and hope for your continuing patronage. It is our intention to be open every day going forward and we'll achieve that intention, as they say, "Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise."

David Vale, Co-owner

The past year has been a challenge for all of us and it's not over yet. As the new vaccines bring the virus under control, the disruption to our commerce, our lives, and our whole civilization continues to be with us. With that disruption has come an unexpected shortage of workers in many fields, including ours. We have, as yet, not been able to identify and hire a sufficient number of qualified cooks to prepare the food we want to serve and this has resulted in a few unscheduled closures.

We believe we are on a path to correcting the problem and hope to expand our schedule back to seven days, as we have maintained throughout most of our ten years in business. In the meantime, we appreciate your patience and your patronage.

David Vale, Co-owner

We expect the Covid virus may be with us for a while and we have changed our operation to adapt. Short term, as required, we've reducing our capacity and spacing our tables. But long term, we've prepared for the future. We don't plan to isolate our guests in plexiglass greenhouses, but we have refitted our booths to make them more private and easier to disinfect. The attractive and comfortable cloth backs have been replaced with vinyl, which we think is as comfortable and equally attractive, but easier to disinfect. And we've raised the seat backs by a foot. Not enough to make you feel claustrophobic, but enough that you won't see (or breathe on) your neighbors.

We want keep serving the comfort food we always have, but we're determined that you eat it in an environment that makes you feel as comfortable as the food.

David Vale, Co-owner

We're sorry to say that the Pocketstone Cafe will not hold its traditional Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner this year. Our meal has always been intended as an event to bring the community together to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Unfortunately, the complications presented by the Covid virus remain sufficiently with us that we feel it wise to cancel again this year.

We’re as disappointed as anyone that we won’t have our Thanksgiving Dinner this year. While we feel the risk to the diners would be acceptable, we are uncomfortable bringing a large group of volunteers together in a tight space to prepare and serve the food.

We look forward to holding our community Thanksgiving event next year. In the meantime, be safe and stay healthy!

David Vale, Co-owner

Isolation has been difficult for me. I'd characterize myself as a people person. But with the pandemic, it's been more difficult and unwise to socialize as much as I usually do.

I missed eating in our restaurant while we were closed and saying hello to all the people I'd come to know in this community. I understood the need to distance and the importance of playing it safe. I applaud everyone who endeavors to squash this disease.

But I want everyone to know, especially when we don't see each other as much, that I am thinking of you all and I miss you greatly.

Carolyn Vale, Co-owner

I'm new here. Well, not that new. It'll be three years in December. But wow, what a couple of months these last have been. Going from a vigorous cafe to an idle dining room overnight. And back again. I missed those cinnamon rolls and cupcakes, even though I didn't usually eat them. But being deprived for a couple of months -- Well, I may make up for lost time.

We've taken our time getting back into operation. We had some structural things we had to change and a number of procedures to revamp for safety. And we wanted to be sure things were calmed down, to protect both our customers and our staff.

But we're back in business. Some new electronics, some new furniture, a new presentation of our old menu. It's great to get back in business. We're happy to see you all again.

Michele Shapero, Business Manager

"Hey Marcus, I thought you set that thing to Stun!"

Marcus Shahen (right), opens the cafe by turning on the open sign on Wednesday, November 2, the first day of operation under new ownership as David Vale looks on. Marcus and his wife, Shelley, bought the Pocketstone from David and Carolyn Vale on November 1.

Marcus and Shelley plan to run the cafe in essentially the same manner it has been run by the Vales. "We’re thrilled to be here and hope to humbly carry-on the legacy that the amazing staff at Pocketstone Café has created," says Marcus.

For more information about Marcus and Shelley, look at the About Us tab.

The past couple of years have been a challenge, not just to us but the world in general. Sure, there have been difficult times. Times when we were afraid to be around people. Times when we couldn't hire people to be around. And times when we couldn't get the raw products to cook the food we wanted to serve.

It would be naive to say that those times are over. But we're still here and maybe we're learning how to cope with this new world we're all in. We have enough staff to be open almost every day again. And our menu, although a bit smaller, still contains the things you've come to love: pancakes, cinnamon rolls, our Reuben sandwich. And some of our new cooks have added touches of their own. The Breakfast Quesadilla, for example.

Anyway, we're glad to still be here and happy when you can join us. Stay well!

David Vale, Co-owner

Carolyn Vale, Co-owner

Michele Shapero, Business Manager