Accidental Cafe closes; Food truck Wednesdays; Big potato coming — The buzz

STAUNTON – Stuff Antiques and the Accidental Cafe has closed, food truck Wednesdays will be offered during the North Augusta Farmers Market and a big potato is heading back to Stuarts Draft — here’s the buzz.

Accidental Cafe

Stuff: Antique and Vintage Interiors is closing up shop. The antique store and accidental cafe has been in business for more than five years.

Co-owners and husband and wife duo Karen and Patrick DiFlorio own the store and the cafe was run by Karen’s son, Zach Sowers.

The couple has owned the building in Staunton’s West End on Stoneburner Street for 10 years with the intention of leasing it out, but then the recession came and they needed to find a way to fill the space. That’s when Stuff was born and the Accidental Cafe soon after.

But, this isn’t the couple’s main job.

Patrick DiFlorio runs Diversified Environmental Inc., a hazardous material abatement company, in the lower level of the building. The family also owns and operates DiFlorio Catering, a local catering company.

The antique portion of the shop opened five years ago, and the cafe started just over two years ago.

Now, the two have leased the building to a local Staunton-based business.

“I hardly know where to start to thank this community and our loyal regular customers for your friendship and patronage the last five years at Stuff and The Accidental Cafe,” a Facebook post said. “We bought this building on Stoneburner Street for investment purposes and, although it’s very bittersweet, we have found the perfect tenant for the space. They are a successful established business in Staunton and they will use the space to expand and grow their business.”

Last Friday was the last day the shop was open to the public.

“We will truly miss seeing all of you on a regular basis and I will truly miss all the compliments you all showered us with,” the Facebook post said. “If anyone is interested in any of our antiques or vintage furniture you may call us in the next few weeks and we will arrange to open for you. Thank you all again for a wonderful ride. If I could ever see retirement in my future maybe we could meet again in some cafe.”

Food trucks

Food Truck Wednesdays at the North Augusta Farmers Market begins May 2 and goes until Sept. 26. The food truck addition to the market started in 2016.

The food trucks will be at the market the same time farm vendors are.

So far, Battarbee’s Catering, Holy Smokes BBQ and Eats on the Streets are participating. To find out more visit the Augusta County community events page.

Big potato

The giant potato coming once again to DAPs in Stuarts Draft. This is the second trip for the large potato. It came the same time last May.

The potato is set to come May 11 at 1 p.m. on a 72 foot tractor trailer.

The world’s largest potato on wheels is traveling across the country promoting Idaho’s most famous agricultural product, the Idaho potato, a release said. During its seven-month tour, the truck will travel approximately 28,000 miles, the release said.

“The Big Idaho Potato Truck has become the cornerstone of the Idaho Potato Commission’s marketing program,” said Frank Muir, president & CEO of the Idaho Potato Commission, in a release. “By promoting the truck in our national advertising campaign, participating in events with hundreds of thousands of attendees and making stops at key retail and foodservice operations, we’ve been able to engage millions of consumers of all ages across the country.”

Although it’s not real, it’s real big. The Big Idaho Potato weighs more than six tons (12,000 pounds), which is the equivalent of 32,346 medium-sized Idaho potatoes, a release said.

According to the Idaho Potato Commission, the Big Idaho Potato:

• Would make 30,325 servings of mashed potatoes.
• Could make more than 1.4 million (1,455,570) French fries.
• Would weigh 1,102 times more than the largest potato ever grown, which clocked in at 11 pounds.

Since its 2012 launch, the truck has visited 48 states and traveled through more than 3,000 towns and cities, the release said.

While on its journey, the Big Idaho Potato Truck will help dozens of charities better serve their communities through its charitable program called A Big Helping. During its seven-month tour, the truck’s management team will identify local charities to receive a $500 donation via a signature board that’s set up at the events the truck visits, a release said. Past recipients have included food banks, children’s hospitals and animal shelters. According to DAPs co-owner Phil Witry, the Waynesboro Area Refuge Ministry was supported through the effort last year.

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The buzz is a short recap of area business trends. Send ideas to reporter Laura Peters at lpeters@newsleader.com or follow her @peterslaura and @peterpants.

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