Current conditions unavailable
Dawn’s Delectables Dessert & Sandwich Shoppe is returning to its old downtown Centralia location after closing at the end of March in 2024, the business stated in a news release.
Last year, owner Dawn Merchant stated she was stepping away from the restaurant industry “to take a much-needed break and travel,” after successfully running the restaurant and coffee shop for over a decade. In the post announcing Dawn’s Delectables’ return, Merchant also revealed she had been dealing with health issues.
“Taking time away from the food industry gave me a chance to focus on my health and have the much-needed surgery on a ruptured tendon in my foot and the time necessary to recover,” Merchant wrote. “During this time, I was also able to do things I haven’t done in years and check off some experiences with my adult children, like road trips and weekend getaways with my family. And, I was able to spend some time exploring new opportunities, and am so grateful for that, but I have realized that my heart is in the food industry with a passion for community.”
This announcement came a day after JJ’s ToGo announced it was closing its brick-and-mortar location, which was passed off to JJ’s co-owners and sisters-in-law Jessica and Devin Britton from Merchant following last year’s semi-retirement announcement as previously reported by The Chronicle.
“When the opportunity presented itself to return to its former home, Dawn said she knew that when her dream presented itself again, she needed to say YES,” the release stated.
Dawn’s Delectables will once again be at 204 N. Tower Ave. in downtown Centralia. Merchant intends to bring back customer favorites for breakfast, lunch and dessert, and is also looking to rehire as many former staff members as possible.
“While there may be some changes to what was the former business model, overall, patrons will enjoy the same warm, welcoming, family-style atmosphere they previously enjoyed at Dawn’s Delectables,” the release stated. “Dawn says that she can’t wait to be back in the community that she has loved since she first opened her doors years ago.”
According to the header on Dawn’s Delectables’ Facebook page, the business will be reopening in August 2025, though no specific date was mentioned.
Merchant contacted The Chronicle on Friday, July 18, and said she hopes to have the coffee shop side of Dawn’s Delectables reopened by the beginning of Antique Fest in downtown Centralia the first weekend in August, and to have the full kitchen open for breakfast, lunch and dessert again by mid-August.
For more information on Dawn’s Delectables, visit its Facebook page at https://tinyurl.com/ftdevjxs or email Merchant at dawn@dawnsdelectables.com.
JJ’s ToGo’s final day of business will be July 26, the Brittons stated in their July 15 Facebook post. Prior to opening at Dawn’s Delectables’ old location last year, the business was mobile and catering faced.
“We love our JJ’s family and are grateful for the past year in our first brick-and-mortar restaurant. This might be the end of the physical location, but not of JJ’s. Stay tuned for more details. Come get it while you still can,” the Brittons said. “Your support means the world to us.”
To learn more about JJ’s ToGo’s, visit its Facebook page at https://tinyurl.com/4arh4342. For more information on JJ’s physical location closing, read The Chronicle’s previous coverage at https://tinyurl.com/5yz9c4b3.
