By Kylie Burks

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— Communities often have those specific places which have become more than just businesses; they have become a part of their daily routine. These places offer community within the greater neighborhood and often use their position to make their area a better place. For the Rountree neighborhood, one such establishment is the café Cherry Picker Package + Fare located on the corner of Pickwick Ave. and Cherry St.

“You get to know a lot of the regulars and people that live in the neighborhood and there’s a lot of nice people around here. We have a ton of people who come here regularly after work to decompress,” employee Crystallena Price said.

The café is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. and on Sundays from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. They serve a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner items including salads and sandwiches. They also serve specialty coffee as well as alcoholic beverages to customers who are of age.

Their coffee menu includes a seasonal selection, with current ones including the black walnut maple latte and the salted caramel latte. The black walnut maple latte was a delicious blend that balanced the sweetness of maple with the strong black walnut flavor without being too overpowering.

Though their menu includes many options for customers to choose from, it is the environment they offer that keeps people coming back. Customer Elise Randolph chose the outdoor patio of the café to spend a quiet hour working while sipping on an iced coffee. She said that it was a good place to work with friendly owners who engaged with the greater Rountree community.

Pouring into their community is something that Cherry Picker Package + Fare prioritizes in their everyday activities as they interact with regulars and promote and plan events.

“We’re always doing little donations for fun stuff to promote the neighborhood, like gift cards and things like that. I feel like it’s a staple. Even though our owners don’t live in this neighborhood they are still just neighbors of a sort. They know everyone here,” Price said.

The regulars of the café are the ones who make work so enjoyable for Price, especially the dogs who come in with their owners. One such furry customer is a dog named Booker who visits Cherry Picker Package + Fare on his daily route.

“Before we were open on Sundays our manager would be here doing prep work and [Booker] would still try to come by the door because he knows this is his little special place to get his treat,” she said.

Cherry Picker Package + Fare is a Rountree neighborhood staple, tucked away in its own little nook in the middle of Springfield. It is a place that people from within and outside the community can enjoy for the atmosphere they offer, the food and drinks they create and the kindness and welcoming smile the employees give to all who come through the door.