Linda Smeltz & Melissa Laughlin
You might think that, if you’re used to cooking for venues full of hundreds of people, you’d have no issue cooking for a few café customers at a time.
But according to chef Melissa Laughlin, it’s quite an adjustment.
For years, Laughlin worked for her mother Linda Smeltz’s successful catering business. But when her mother decided it was time to retire and close the business, Laughlin was left wondering what was next for her career.
However, she knew her passion was to cook.
At the end of February, Laughlin opened Honey Bee’s Café and Bake Shoppe in downtown Harrisburg. Here, Laughlin isn’t serving banquet halls full of wedding guests or large gatherings of corporate professionals, but hungry Harrisburg professionals and residents. The scale is a change she’s still adjusting to. But one thing has remained the same—she’s still working alongside her mom.
“It’s been an adventure,” she said. “We are taking it one day at a time.”
The café, at the corner of N. 2nd and North streets, offers breakfast and lunch in a cheery, welcoming environment. Laughlin described the menu as “eclectic,” familiar café items, but with a twist. For example, a grilled cheese sandwich has artichoke spinach dip inside, a Reuben is made with Kielbasa sausage, and a burger is topped with blueberry barbecue sauce and brie. To top it off, most everything at Honey Bee’s is made from scratch.
Most of the staff assists with cooking meals, but Laughlin doesn’t share the baking with anyone—that’s her specialty. A glass case displays daily treats like cookies, cupcakes, Danish and scones. Keeping the café’s namesake in mind, there are usually a few sweets featuring honey.
As they find their footing, Laughlin said they plan to keep testing new menu items and taking customer suggestions, as well.
While the roles may technically be reversed now for Laughlin and Smeltz, as the daughter takes the lead in business where her mother once did, the duo still considers themselves partners. And they love working together. They’re more than partners, more than mother and daughter, but best friends, Laughlin explained.
“I can always count on her to be my cheerleader,” she said. “I’m grateful for that.”
Smeltz is also often the friendly face that greets you at the register, and when her daughter describes her as a “ray of sunshine,” it’s true. Her cheery personality matches the yellow-painted walls.
Smeltz has been in the food business for years and estimates that she has probably catered around 700 weddings, but she still can’t get enough of it.
“I just love to cook,” she said. “It’s what I love to do.”
Laughlin and Smeltz are hopeful about the possibility of getting involved in the community, something they can do in a brick-and-mortar shop that wasn’t as easy in catering. They’ve already had return customers and have become friendly with neighboring businesses.
Most of all, Laughlin wants people to feel welcomed, enjoy good food, and walk away a little happier.
“I’d like it to be a comfortable place for people to come and hang out,” she said. “We are hoping we can add a little sweetness to everybody’s lives.”
Honey Bee’s Café and Bake Shoppe is located at 620 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
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