A vacant section of Main Street is breathing new life again. Once occupied by Pour Jim’s Coffeeshop, the building is now home to Heart’n’Soul Cafe.

The new establishment, located at the corner of Main Street and Monroe Ave., opened its doors to the community on Saturday, April 5, with delicious food and live music.

Heart’n’Soul Cafe is co-owned by Linda Partney and Jessica Johnson. They are very excited about the cafe and said business has been booming since the day they opened.

Last Friday was a very busy day. According to Johnson, they ran out of almost every item on the menu. Despite the limited number of choices left, customers still stayed to enjoy a delicious meal and entertainment. “Everyone who has come to Heart’n’Soul Cafe have seemed to really enjoy themselves,” Partney said. She also owns a jewelry and repair shop next door.

For less than $6, visitors can order a variety of items such as tea, coffee, soup, wraps, brownies, and muffins. They can also purchase the first music CD Johnson made with fellow Heart’n’Soul band members. The CD, called “Heart’n’Soul,” contains seven songs they wrote together. Johnson said they plan to make another collection of songs in the near future.

The idea of opening a cafe on Main Street began after Jim King, owner of Pour Jim’s coffee shop, was hurt in a motorcycle accident and was unable to continue operating the business. For several months, the doors to the vacant lot were closed until Heart’n’Soul Cafe moved in on April 5. “Whenever Jim got hurt in his motorcycle accident, we didn’t want to waste the idea of a coffee shop in Mayo, so we decided that we would carry on with the idea and start our own coffee shop with more variety and a classier look,” Johnson said.

Among those who visited the cafe was Trent Frier. He came with his mother and father. Frier, who attends Lafayette High School, said he frequently visits the cafe. Last Friday was the second time his mother had eaten there while it was the first time for his father. The Friers said they love Heart’n’Soul Cafe for its friendliness and family atmosphere, the live music, and the delicious food.

Johnson is a life-long resident of Mayo and a 1998 graduate of Lafayette High School. She has been involved in music since elementary school and became the first LHS graduate to receive a music scholarship. “I’ve been involved in music since I was young and have always had a desire to expand my musical abilities. I have played the flute for 17 years and the guitar for two years,” Johnson said.

While growing up in Lafayette County, Johnson says she has grown very fond of the community, its small town atmosphere, and believes it is a great place to live and raise a family. “Small towns generally have higher moral standards and are more family oriented,” Johnson said.

Johnson and Partney would like to thank everyone, especially their family and friends, who helped them make Heart’n’Soul Cafe a reality.

The name Heart’n’Soul has special meaning to Johnson, Partney, and others who run the cafe. “Nothing in life works if you don’t put your heart and soul into what you are doing. If you are pouring your ‘heart-n-soul’ into it, people can feel that coming from you and it leaves the door open for greater things to come,” Johnson said, smiling.