Sonia Kessler has come far in such a short period of time as the affable owner and operator of Zola’s Café on East Main Street.

In her first foray into entrepreneurship, Kessler gradually has transformed the corner coffee shop into a go-to place for food and drink, conversation and music.

Kessler’s family has roots in the restaurant business. Her brother operates the family’s long-established Italian restaurant in California.

The Kesslers have called Auburn home for 10 years after previously living in the Central Valley of California.

Kessler recently sat down with the Auburn Reporter to discuss her business and future plans.

Tell us a little about yourself and your family.

I have two children – Hailey, 14, and Dante, 17 – who help out down here. Both attend Auburn High School and both are looking to go into the Running Start program. My husband, Kriss, is my financial guy. It’s pretty much a family operation.

How’s business?

It’s been really good. The community has been very positive, very encouraging, very supportive. It’s been eight months now since we’ve been here, and we’ve been doing really well. We have local artists who bring in their work and hang it on our walls for sale.

We also have local musicians who play every Friday night from 7 to 9. The music night hasn’t hooked onto the community yet, but they are aware that we have some great, talented musicians who are playing here. Local musicians who come in have a following.

Some of the people from the neighborhood will walk down here, go outside and listen to the music. Slowly but surely, I’m hoping it will evolve into something wonderful for the community and give people an opportunity to do something on Friday nights.

Do you represent a new way of thinking, of bringing some life to downtown?

I don’t know if it’s a new way … but we’re trying to get a cool, funky feel to a downtown café with the music and artwork.

Is this what you envisioned your coffee spot to be?

Yes, and I’m not done with that vision yet. I have some other plans, some changes I would like to make to the place. But yes, it’s what my goal was, what I’ve been mapping out for myself to do here.

Some of it I stumbled upon as I came in, especially the artwork. It’s not something I thought about until someone approached me about it. And I thought, “Wow, that’s a great idea.” And artists have been selling. Many of the them are part of the Auburn Art Association that is trying to get started. They sold some of their work. Work is selling off my walls for them, and all the proceeds are theirs. I’m just humbled that they are excited that they can hang their artwork down here.

Coffee is one thing, but you sell much more?

We make great sandwiches. We have salads, and we get homemade bagels brought in. I’m working on eventually getting a convection oven, so we can do our own inhouse baking.

What are your keys to success?

For me, the biggest thing is what I learned from my father – to be positive and friendly. You have to be nice and friendly to everybody. I’m a social person. I love to talk to people. Just always greeting people with a smile, trying to accommodate their needs (is important). If they want something special, we’ll do whatever we can to make it for them.

Do you welcome changes in downtown Auburn?

I hope they make them. When I was looking for a place to buy, I always looked in downtown areas because I love the feel of a downtown area. I’m not into the strip malls or malls or anything like that.

I love the downtown area, and I hope they do the right thing and encourage businesses to come down here and be a part of a successful area. Auburn surely needs it. It would be nice to see that growth.