SEARCY, AR –  Later this year, new residents to Searcy, Amber and Jacob Dixon, will be adding to the line-up of downtown Searcy eateries with their new restaurant; Chit Chat and Chew Cafe.

The restaurant, which will be located on the north side of the courthouse square, will be a breakfast-and-lunch diner serving a mix of classic favorites and some dishes with a Californian flair.

The pair moved to Searcy in November of 2017 from Antelope Valley, California. Amber says one of the reasons they decided to leave California was the fast-paced lifestyle. “There’s not a lot of family time. You have to work constantly just to kind of keep up with the rat race that’s out there.”

The more than 1,600-mile move to Central Arkansas isn’t the only big risk for the family. The Dixon’s left their careers behind and are putting everything they have into the cafe. “We pretty much gave it to God and sunk our savings into this,” said Jacob. “This is our baby right now.”

The inspiration for the restaurant and its name came from Jacob’s dad.

“Ever since I was a little kid, my dad talked about wanting to open a place called Chit Chat and Chew,” said Jacob. He was just never really able to do it. We kinda wanted to make this an honor to him.”

Along with the personal significance, the restaurant’s location has a historical significance to Searcy; it was formerly the home of Bobby’s Family Restaurant. After the Dixons learned that, they became even more determined to purchase it.

“We’ve heard so many people saying, ‘Oh yeah I used to go down there and have coffee or breakfast every single morning.’ That’s what we want – to have locals, as well as newcomers, come here. It’ll be a great, fun place for everybody,” says Jacob.

The restaurant’s breakfast menu will include traditional cafe options but on a very grand scale. Amber and Jacob are taking inspiration from their favorite breakfast spots in California that serve massive portions of food. The goal is for customers to leave on a full stomach and be able to take home leftovers.

Chit, Chat and Chew Cafe will also have menu items that go far beyond your typical cafe food. “We’ll be throwing in a little of our Californian flair along with the nice, old school, big breakfast cooking,” says Amber.

The couple plans to incorporate daily specials and have fresh sliced deli sandwiches for lunch. They also want to add a convenient “grab & go” breakfast menu that will include burritos, tacos, and sandwiches for those that don’t have time to come in and sit.

The couple plans on serving breakfast and lunch to start with, but eventually aim to open more hours.

With their location neighboring the Rialto theater on the square, the pair hopes to eventually contribute to a new, growing nightlife atmosphere in Searcy.

“There’s not a lot that goes on here at night right now, but there’s just so much potential for stuff,” says Jacob.

Amber and Jacob are planning on opening the cafe doors by mid-October. They have been in the building almost every day doing what they can to accelerate the process.

Chit Chat and Chew’s hours will be: Monday-Friday 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. They are located on 110 Race Ave. in Searcy, Ark. You can follow the restaurant’s progress on the Chit Chat and Chew Cafe’s Facebook page.