Unique offerings at Dixon cafe

The new cafe and coffee shop in Dixon has plenty to offer. Besides being a bakery and serving breakfast, it also has hand-me-down clothing for free. The cafe, named by owner Bre Ward, is the Hand Me Down Cafe and bakery. Ward said she wanted to offer travelers and locals a place for good coffee and fresh food at a weekend destination.

The cafe is open on the weekend to accommodate people's needs. "I worked at the Mercantile when it was open," Ward said. She commuted from Missoula to work there because Ward said she likes the small town atmosphere. "I moved to Montana from Chicago in 2017 to work on organic farms in Hamilton, then in Moiese, between Dixon and Charlo. I worked at the Merc in the winters," Ward said.

"I got the idea of a free store while living in Chicago. There were alleys with free stuff that people threw out. There aren't any alleys around here, so I thought a community store of free clothing was needed, to give things that would be thrown away a new life," Ward explained.

After five years of working on the local farms, when the Merc was sold, Ward decided to open her own place to run. "I wanted to do my own thing and buy fresh produce from the friends who I worked for," she said. When the building was sold to Piya Properties, Ward came up with a business plan. She opened the Hand Me Down the first weekend in April. "I'm still finishing out. But I have been bolstered by the community and my customers from the Mercantile. I feel comfortable having my business here," Ward said. The hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

The menu currently has Mexican style breakfast items and baked goods. "I had biscuits and gravy on the menu until it got too hot this summer, but they will be back in the fall during my Pop-Up month." The baked goods include melon fritters. "The Dixon Melons stand is across the street. I am fortunate to have the freshest and best melons available." The cantaloupe in the fritters makes a unique and tasty treat. The main dishes are made to order for vegans, vegetarians, or meat eaters. Some of the teas come from a local grower. One specialty is Holy Basil tea with lemonade.

From September 28 to October 27, Ward said she will have guest bakers come to work at the cafe with their specialty items. Saturdays will have Ward's culinary friends from Missoula's Primrose Farm and Bakehouse Bakery, who will feature their fresh sourdough breads and baked goods. Sundays will be partnered with Alyssa Kennamer from Missoula who is known for her pie crusts. Some Pie is her business and she will be offering cherry pies and biscuits and gravy.

"This will give me time to work on organizing the free store and transition from the summer tourist season to winter. I have offered space to local vendors and artists to sell their goods in the cafe. I feel an interconnectedness with this building and the local people. My long term goals include being open more days. I am working on the winter schedule and budget to determine what is feasible for me," Ward said. She currently has four employees who rotate their time on the weekends helping out at the register. Other long term goals include expanding the free store and possibly hiring someone from Dixon to organize items.

"The coffee shop cafe was named Hand Me Down in honor and recognition of the previous owners and managers of the building who shared their wealth of knowledge and support, those who handed down their opportunities and resources to me," Ward said.