Local Coffee Shop: Made Not Manufactured

Maggie Arave
Staff Writer
  Cafe Et Amour is a family-owned coffee shop that rivals many others. The cafe originally functioned as a small smoothie trailer at Jefferson fair grounds in June 2021. Tucked away in a little corner of Rigby, the cafe gradually gained attention from locals. The cafe is owned by a woman named Christina Christiaen and her husband, and it is located at 186 E Main St Rigby, ID 83442; this location features a parking lot and drive through. It is cozy, easy to access, and has a cheerful atmosphere. 
  The theme is a French, baby pink aesthetic. Students from Rigby High School painted a mural to commemorate the move from the trailer to the walk-in location. The mural consists of a cute scene in Paris where a diner sets the tables for its customers with drinks and snacks  and provides a view of the Eiffel Tower. The involvement of the community helped Christina gain more awareness and popularity among locals. 
  The opinions of customers among Rigby and Idaho Falls can make or break a small town business. Any kind of review can also ruin a restaurant's reputation, such as when a woman named Shannon Meacham gave an unsatisfactory review. She states her experience “was a bit disappointing this time. At almost $4 for a dry cookie, she now kinda regrets trusting that it would be good again.” The owner messaged the woman to help keep her satisfied; “Shannon, I am so sorry your cookie was not up to standards. We try our best to ensure our treats are fresh, soft and yummy, even the gluten-free ones!” She continued, telling Shannon that she would “love to take care of you when you return.” Her response shows how Cafe Et Amour is based on keeping its customers satisfied and satiated.
  My personal experience was wonderful due to having my favorite cookie and drink which always fills my need for a tasteful treat. The gluten free raspberry cheesecake cookie is a mix of many textures that contrast the blue raspberry lemonade smoothie. The cost of these two snacks can range from five to ten dollars depending on the drink size and type of cookie. The raspberry cheesecake cookie was super soft and crumbled like cheesecake crust, pulling apart easily while filling my stomach completely. The cookie base is crisply cooked while still being fresh, contrast to the frosting which is a sweet vanilla with a fruity raspberry drizzle. All of this is included in a wonderful gluten free cookie. The lemonade smoothie has a very strong, bold flavor. The freshness is mainly in the lemonade base, being not too sugary while having the smooth texture of a perfect smoothie. This little perfect oasis is so much different than other shops since freshness and satisfaction is put above cost and making money. Visit this cute shop to find the kind of treats you have truly been craving!