“Gazebo Cafe reopens, minus the gazebo. POULSBO – Holly Jo Saccomanno isn’t what one might call a shirker. She doesn’t shy away from challenges or turn her back when opportunity calls. Saccomanno is a hard worker in a time when many have forgotten exactly what hard work entails. She’s on the job six days a week and whether it’s pouring out double-tall Irish cream mochas at the Gazebo Cafe in Poulsbo or serving multiple tables at Whiskey Creek Steak House in Keyport, Saccomanno approaches both tasks with equal zeal. It seems to be her nature. After working as a barista at the Gazebo Cafe five years ago, she has returned to the Front Street business as its new owner. I worked here when it was just an espresso bar in the gazebo, she explained. The gazebo structure, however, has since been removed and the espresso bar has been relocated inside the restaurant. Saccomanno is once again serving up her coffee specials at the site where she returns to her role as a barista. Her job duties at the cafe have expanded dramatically in the past several weeks though and when opportunity knocked, she promptly opened the door. In late-1999, the popular Gazebo Cafe was officially closed – leaving many in North Kitsap scratching their heads. About three weeks ago Michael and Tanya (Mayda) called me and told me they had a unique opportunity for me, Saccomanno said. The Maydas were the previous owners of the site. Saccomanno quickly did what was necessary to get the restaurant re-opened. While the move might seem like a huge jump to some, the Gazebo Cafe isn’t her first business. Saccomanno opened her own espresso stand in Keyport, Holly Jo Espresso but sold the venture last year after taking a job at the Whiskey Creek Steak House in Keyport. She also has a degree from Gonzaga University in Spokane to back her up on the know-how front. Being both owner and barista at the Gazebo Cafe and a waitress at Whiskey Creek can make for some pretty long hours, Saccomanno admitted. But if she starts to drag she can always fix herself a double-shot espresso in record time. I’m a barista. I handle orders. I wait tables – the whole nine yards, she said with a laugh. With so much on her plate at once, it’s amazing Saccomanno still has the energy to smile. She has good reason to though as the entire community in Poulsbo has welcomed her back with open arms. We have had a lot of support from the downtown businesses, she explained. I’m also really thankful to all my friends and family who have been so helpful on this. Saccomanno said the restaurant would keep the same menu which helped make the venture so successful previously. Re-hiring Connie Witzoski to the kitchen crew where famous soups, salads, pasta dishes, paninis and baguettes flourish was another positive step for the young entrepreneur. As the business regains its foothold downtown, Saccomanno said she hoped to add dinners at the restaurant and even some musical acts. But most of all, she’s looking forward to a day when she can take a day or two off without worry. It’ll be tough, but it’ll eventually pay off, she said with a smile. “