Sherry Jones, a Kitsap County culinary veteran, has merged her business with Nostalgia House Bakery to create a one-stop, homemade dining destination that fulfills a lifelong dream.

Jones, who moved to Kitsap in 1999 to be with her mother after a cancer diagnosis and subsequent loss, recalled how the idea of opening a café was a dream they shared. “It was always my mom’s and my dream,” she said. “After my mom passed, I knew I had to make this happen.”

Her early career included stints at Wildcat Lake Grocery and managing operations at a 76 gas station, where her freshly cooked breakfast burritos—sold straight from a skillet at the back door—quickly became a local favorite. She later worked at a Chevron station where a fall in a freezer led to severe back and neck injuries. “I totally fell and slipped in the freezer,” Jones recalled, adding that the incident forced her into surgery and a long recovery period.

After recuperating, Jones took a part-time position at Mullette’s Market, where she revamped the kitchen by introducing a grill and deep fryer to replace frozen fast-food offerings. “I knew I couldn’t do it forever, so after my back surgery, I decided it was time to work for myself,” she said.

Jones soon opened her first kitchen on Cattle in Bremerton and, just four months later, launched a café at 11th and Perry. However, the long commute eventually led her to consolidate her operations in Port Orchard. Exactly one year after returning to self-employment, she signed the paperwork to take over Nostalgia House Bakery, merging it with Sherry’s Corner Café.

The merger happened when Lois Sietman, the previous owner of the bakery, realized she didn’t have the resources for renovations at the café. She couldn’t afford things like the food bank and underground grease trap, Jones said. “She was considering just closing it down, and that’s when I stepped in.”

Jones spoke with Sietman, who then asked if she would hire her employees. “I said absolutely,” Jones said. Even Sietman is still involved, albeit in a different capacity as a consultant. “She helps decorate the cakes and is still around to offer advice,” Jones said.

At first, there was some confusion from customers, as many believed Jones was simply working under the Nostalgia House Bakery name. “I had to clarify that I now own everything. Lois is still here, but I took over,” Jones said.

The merger has not only expanded the café’s offerings but also created more job opportunities. Jones now employs seven people with plans to hire more.

Jones’s commitment to quality and community is reflected in her homemade menu, which includes fresh-baked hotdog and hamburger buns, as well as Southern-style cakes like Hummingbird and Morning Glory. She also offers senior discounts, serving affordable meals such as soup with a half-sandwich. “I want to take care of our seniors. They deserve a good meal at a fair price,” she said, recalling how seniors expressed their gratitude during the first week of business.

Despite initial concerns about the higher overhead costs of managing a larger team, Jones remains optimistic. “I was hesitant at first because I was used to running businesses with fewer employees and lower costs,” she said. “But with the support of my husband and friends, and seeing the smiles on our customers’ faces, I knew it was the right decision.”

Now called Sherry’s Country Caffe & Bakery, Jones’s soft opening began March 1 with plans for a grand opening April 12 during Port Orchard’s downtown market event. Looking ahead, she envisions further expansion—including potential partnerships with neighboring businesses once a vacant building next door becomes available.

“It feels like home,” Jones said. “This isn’t just a business—it’s a community space where my mom’s dream and my dream come together. We’re ready to serve Port Orchard with everything we love about good, homemade food.”

Customers order baked goods from the bakery selection.