June 23: River's Edge Cafe Grand Opening & Men Who Bake

On Thursday, a dozen local men will compete to win with the sweetest treat during River’s Edge Café’s grand opening celebration in downtown Aurora.

Putting on oven mitts and getting out their cookbooks, notable locals such as Amaury Rosado (Chef Amaury at 33 West), Steve Warrenfeltz (Kiss the Sky Records), lawyer Judd Lofchie, author Robert Renteria and Paramount Theatre’s artistic director Jim Corti will bring baked goods to the café for a good cause.

During the grand opening celebration, people can vote for their favorite delectable treats and the winner with the most votes will donate the total proceeds to a local charity of their choice.

Baked goods and votes can be purchased for $1 each at the grand opening and at the café in advance.

“We are ready to celebrate the reopening of the cafe,” said Bailey Standish, daughter of owner Beth Standish. Bailey and her two sisters help out at the café since mom Beth decided the downtown café was too good of a gem to let close after previous owners Jeff and Cathy Jones moved on to other endeavors last fall.

Beth was especially drawn to the café as a community space where everyone is welcome. Since the café is also owned by River Valley Community Church, she was able to get the popular café up and running again with their assistance earlier this year.

“We are so happy to be part of the community,” Bailey said. “Everyone is so supportive and this is a fun way for us to give back.”

Local musicians will also be part of the grand opening festivities. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the café. Tasting and voting will conclude at 9:30 p.m.

Additional “Men Who Bake” contestants are Mike Chapin, Dan Hites, Vernon LaVia, Nathan Miller, Charlie Mayton, David Lewis and Matt Hook.

River’s Edge Café is located at 18 W. Downer Pl. just west of Stolp Avenue in downtown Aurora. Street parking is available on Downer Place and River Street; a convenient parking garage is located at the southeast corner of Downer and Stolp.

Weekday café hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit www.theriversedgecafe.com or find River’s Edge Café on Facebook for more information.