Established restaurateurs open new café and bakery in Ormond Beach

After roughly a year in the works, Ormond Beach recently welcomed a charming new café to its bustling downtown.

Uncommon Grain announced its soft opening July 15, though it “wasn’t much of soft opening” at all, said owners Sergio Faenza and Brandon Sheppard.

During its first few days, the Granada Boulevard shop found its sliver of sidewalk lined with customers peering through its windows in anticipation by the early hour of 7:30 a.m. — a half-hour before its 8 a.m. opening — and its freshly baked pastry selection sold out within the first two hours of business.

The duo, no stranger to the downtown district, also owns the boulevard’s 63 Sovereign restaurant , a globally-influenced success that’s continually pushed the boundaries of culinary creativity and proven to be a hit between diners with the most tame and adventurous of palates.

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Now, roughly six years later, they’re bringing a familiar concept with a unique variety to the boulevard: Uncommon Grain.

Though the quaint space, formerly Cakery Creations, was initially envisioned solely as a bakery, “our stomachs evolved it into a café,” Sheppard laughed.

“We feel and hear an overwhelming wantingness from residents in the area for local, fresh options … something that is outside of the ordinary and localized,” Faenza added.

“We’ve been here our whole lives, and you’d think we’d just be status quo on our outlook on the development of Ormond Beach, yet we strive and want so much more for our little town. And sometimes you've just got to do it.”

Sandwiches, pastries and breads galore at Uncommon Grain

While the overall vision for Uncommon Grain came together gradually over the last year, finding the ideal baker with the expertise, passion and attention to detail to truly bring the space to life was no small feat, the duo said. After numerous conversations, Danielle Major fit the bill.

“She’s great,” Sheppard said. “She’s been with us for a little while, and she’s making all the bread for (63 Sovereign) now as well.”

“She saw the building, and she kind of fell in love with the aura of it,” Faenza added. “And we kind of knew what we had when we spoke with her.”

Uncommon Grain offers a small selection of morning bites, available until 10:30 a.m., including the avocado toast ($9.50); the breakfast croissant ($8) — layered with scrambled eggs, bacon or tavern ham and cheddar or gouda cheese; and the cottage toast ($7.50) — sliced tomato, cottage cheese, cucumber, micros and hot honey.

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When it comes to sandwiches, you might have some trouble choosing just one, with options ranging from the Chopped Italian ($12) — salami, capicola, mortadella, provolone, tomato, lettuce, onion, garlic aioli and Italian dressing; to Sheppard’s personal favorite, the hot turkey club ($12) — turkey, bacon, Swiss cheese, artichoke and mayo on fresh focaccia; and the Flat Cuban ($12) — tavern ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, yellow mustard and pickles on grilled sourdough.

Best sellers?

So far, the Peaches Burrata sandwich ($13), inspired by the burrata flatbread previously featured on 63 Sovereign's menu, has proven immensely popular among first-time visitors.

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However, the cafe’s pastry shelves seem to clear as quickly as they're stocked, with recent hits being the flaky raspberry pop tart, cheese Danish and jalapeno scone.

“We do two rounds of (pastries), for the most part,” Sheppard said, “and they’re gone. They go quick.”

In terms of beverages, the café offers three “clean” smoothie variations — the Berry Nutty, Call Me Popeye and Under the Sea.

“The smoothie idea was prompted by the thought that so many people walk that bridge in the morning and exercise,” Faenza said. “So, aside from having these artisan sandwiches, Danishes and baked goods, we wanted somebody to continue to feel good about their regimen (with a smoothie) after their walk.”

Uncommon Grain also offers a gluten-free bread loaf, as well as a gluten-free chocolate almond and cherry oat bar.

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Without the unwavering dedication of their loyal staff, as well as support from both Sheppard’s wife, Robyn, and Faenza’s wife, Joanne, neither 63 Sovereign nor Uncommon Grain could have grown beyond a dream, they said.

Looking ahead, Sheppard and Faenza hope the new café and bakery will serve as a convenient, yet quality pit stop for residents during their morning commutes, lunch breaks or workouts, and continue to bring their own touch to the cohesive concept of Ormond’s downtown restaurant scene.

“We’re not looking to compete, we’re looking to enhance,” Faenza said. “We want people to know we’re working close with Gold Leaf (Coffee Co.) next door and the restaurants to kind of help their business, because they’re certainly helping ours. I think if we were here without any of them, people would just zip on by.”

Sheppard agreed.

“We’re not going to 'set ourselves apart,’ really, because we want to build with everybody,” he said. “And that’s how we’ve always worked with (63 Sovereign) as well.”

Uncommon Grain is located at 11 W. Granada Blvd. in Ormond Beach and is open 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday – Saturday. For information, call 386-265-4214 or visit theuncommongrain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Established restaurateurs open new café and bakery in Ormond Beach