Today we’d like to introduce you to Sutton Van Gunten
Hi Sutton, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In January 2011 I saw a trailer with a giant rooster head on it. It was for sale and a food trailer. I looked inside. Sinks only and tiny. I went home and came up with an idea. Salads and fresh squeezed juices. I gathered a pile of all the small wares I had purchased over the years working at Whole Foods. I would stop at the supply store in my way home and buy bits and bobs. I had that and a thousand dollars in cash. I took a picture and texted the number on the trailer. “Can we make a deal?” He must have been intrigued because he said “come and talk to me”. 40 days later I was open for business at 6th and Waller as Gonzo Juice. Eventually we added hot sandwiches and smoothies and milkshakes, and another truck. Early 2015 I closed Gonzo Juice in search of a brick and mortar. I found my new home on Town Square in beautiful Lockhart. I spent five months living in the space while remodeling and opened as Market Street Cafe in December 2015. Then I met Shelby. It was the hidden surprise I didn’t expect moving to Lockhart. My perfect match. Together we have blossomed the cafe from the small 40 seat spot we had on the square into the family dining destination it is today on State Park Road between Lockhart State Park and Lockhart High. Shelby and I married in 2019. Shelby brought with her an extensive knowledge of baking and a sourdough starter passed down from her Aunt that they have had in the family since 1990. We call him Chuck. Not sure how old Chuck is since we don’t know how long he was alive before then, but he sure makes some delicious bread, and oh boy you need to try her desserts. She has an excellent way of reducing the overall sugar so you can eat the whole thing and just want more without getting the sugar overload. We make a great team. After many years of being such a tiny crew we have now blossomed into a whole group of culinarians and professional service people. Our crew is packed with talented folks excited to be in the industry, from our amazing manager and Sous Chef to the excellent service staff and stellar cooks in the kitchen. It makes for a really wonderful place to come and dine, and bring your family. Bring the grandparents, and the grandkids, and whomever you might like to share a delicious meal with. Enjoy one of our rotating weekend buffets or get one of our amazing waffle or French toast creations. We are very proud of the place we have created for the community of lockhart and feel very lucky to be loved by our community here. Thank you Lockhart for all of these years and to many more. Chefs Sutton & Shelby. ❤️
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Everything I’ve done along the way has been grass roots, with no investors or bank loans. I sold everything I could, borrowed from any friend who would loan me money, have always put as much as I could back into the business, and did as much as I possibly could myself. It has been both great, and also hard. The pandemic tried to take us out, but we are more than proud to say we never took any PPP loans or government assistance outside of that offered by our local City of Lockhart, and we are very thankful for them. Our entire business is built on sweat equity. It’s been a long road, and success was not at all quick, but we are more than appreciate of where we are now, and really we owe it all to our crew who keep us open every day.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve always been an artist, and food is not much different than any other art. It’s about what you like and how you feel. It’s about what you share with other people and about how they feel about what you share. It’s self expression through unselfish acts. Food especially is so ubiquitous, yet such a mystery to so many. I think our worldwide fascination with the magic of producing amazing food is evident of our desire for knowledge as a species. It’s just more relatable when one can enjoy the art on such a carnal level. It’s a barrier leveler.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
We would be nowhere without our crew
Sous Chef Jonathan Courmier
Manager- Monica Gatica
Sandwich Extraordinaire – Richard Jameson
Garde Manger- Dino Alvarado
Head Server- Hayley Hasson
Servers- Brooklyn Hobbs
Bryant Vargas, Will Ivey
Support Staff- Kathy Arnold, Sam Moreno
Pricing:
- Mid priced
Contact Info:
- Website: https://marketstreetlockhart.com/
- Instagram: @marketstcafeltx
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/@SuttonShelbysMarketStreetCafe/
- Other: https://www.toasttab.com/market-street-cafe-lockhart
