Catering company to run library's cafe
By Daniel Wolowicz camarillo@theacorn.com

Camarillo Library patrons looking for a cup of coffee to go with their murder mystery or romance novel won't have to wait much longer.

The Camarillo City Council voted 5-0 last week to allow DJ's California Catering to operate the library's cafe.

Doug and Jennifer Biggs, owners of the 16-year-old Camarillo-based catering company, agreed to a unique revenue-sharing deal with the city to operate the library's 534-square-foot coffee shop with outdoor patio.

The deal also gives DJ's California Catering exclusive rights to catering events held at the library- including all events hosted by charities and other nonprofit groups.

According to the contract, the catering company will pay $500 a month for rent at the 20-seat coffee shop, 5 percent of the cafe's gross revenue, 10 percent of the gross revenue from catering library events and 5 percent of all revenues from catering functions hosted by nonprofits.

Camarillo officials estimate the city will earn about $16,800 a year with the agreement.

Although eight different restaurants and catering companies asked to be considered to run the cafe in July, only two vendors attended the city-mandated site inspection. DJ's California Catering was the only caterer to file an official proposal.

City Manager Jerry Bankston said the other vendors may have been reluctant to submit a proposal for the cafe because of its location inside a city-owned building.

"I believe the others were too unsure of the success of the program," Bankston wrote in an email. "We have no history, so it does take a leap of faith, and DJ's was willing to give it a try."

Doug Biggs said the cafe's menu will include sandwiches, salads, soups, cappuccinos, cold drinks, coffee and tea.

"We're really excited about it," Biggs said. "We're looking forward to starting a unique operation that will offer rare coffees."

He said the cafe is slated to open by November 19 with a grand opening to follow in early December.

"I think the public is really looking for to it, and so is the staff," said Sandi Banks, library manager. "It'll make the library a real destination."