Café Athena Calling All Sweet-tooths To New Bakery

By: Randall Turk

Transcript Business Editor

Debra VanWagner liked where she worked so much, she bought the business.

She has bought the size of Café Athena. Last week, she opened a bakery in the café to offer fresh baked cakes, pies, cookies and pantries. Her bakery, although just beginning, is a rarity these days. She also bakes to order for customer. “If it’s dessert, we’ll make it,” she said. “Just bring me the recipe.”

VanWagner also “bends the menu” to satisfy her lunch and dinner customers.

She helped open Café Athena about a year and a half ago. “I managed it for two sets owner,” she said. “When it came up for sale again, I saw too much potential. I was the one who dealt with the customers.

With the help of longtime friend and partner Shannon Merkle, she leased a former barbershop next door to the café six months ago. The two handled the renovation work themselves.

VanWagner said she is branching into baking because of her previous experience of owning a bakery in Tuttle. “It’s such a creative process, she said. Another motive is to attract more locals to Café Athena, which has relied mostly on business with OU students.

Café Athena’s Greek and American sandwiches and dinners, including beef and chicken gyros, falafel, spanakopita and hummus and tabouli salad, have a following among OU students, faculty and Campus Corner workers. There are daily specials under $5, including tax. Beverages include beer, soda and home-made milkshakes.

VanWagner is well aware of the long hours and special attention a bakery requires. She credits the independence and reliability of her three teenagers for helping her expand the business. “They work for me and their earnings go into a savings account for OU, “ she said.

“I live here and visit home. I’m up at 5, gone by 8 and here everyday, all day. I’m home by 9 or 10.

“Sleep is greatly overrated.”

Vigilance was an asset in May 1999, when she lost her Bridge Creek home to tornadoes. “I lost some pictures and other sentimental things, but I didn’t lose my family,” she said. “I came out pretty lucky.”

VanWagner plans to take on delivery and catering at the end of summer. She wants to display work by local artist on the walls of Café Athena and add an honor library for customers who want to linger for a while. She already makes free copies of The Transcript available to diners. Look for a bakery grand opening in 30 days or so.

“I want to be more than just a café on Boyd Street,” VanWagner said. “I give customers more than they ask for.

“Here, I’m not a mom or somebody’s wife. I’m Debra, and customers know me as friend.”