Richland Library opens The Cafe at main library

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During your next trip to the Richland Library you can enjoy a good book and something good to eat at The Cafe at the main location on 1431 Assembly St.

Richland Library teamed with chef Sarah Simmons to open the new location on the first level near the Hampton Street entrance. Simmons owned Rise Gourmet Goods and Bakeshop on Harden Street before it closed in May.

She, along with husband and business partner Aaron Hoskins, designed a menu for the library cafe featuring sandwiches, salads, drinks and snacks. The Cafe will feature an assortment of Rise signature baked goods on Wednesday and Saturday.

The Cafe will also house a program for the culinary residency geared toward the food and beverage industry that will give restaurateurs a low-risk opportunity to experience running the daily responsibilities of The Cafe. Participants for the program will selected later this year.

The Cafe is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The new cafe comes a week after the main branch’s Children’s Room and Teen Center were reopened after renovations. Richland County residents passed a $59 million bond referendum to enhance library facilities in November 2013.