Sursleys Make Dayton Sweet

DAYTON - The sweet smell of baked goods and thick custard swirl gracefully through the air when the front door opens to Dayton's business of the year, the Country Cup- board.

Country Cupboard owners Chuck and Ray- lene Sursley worked in the Seattle area and wanted to find a smaller town to start a business.

"We fell in love with Dayton," Chuck Sursley said.

So, the couple, familiar with bakery, deli, restau- rant operation and sales, decided to open the Country Cupboard in 2004.

The restaurant has re- ceived a lot of community support, which Raylene Sursley said they have been very thankful for.

Since its inception, the Country Cupboard has evolved, Chuck Sursley said.

" No one department could carry the whole store, so we needed the va- riety," Chuck Sursley said.

Chuck Sursley makes all of the baked goods from scratch while Ray- lene Sursley has a knack for the deli side of things. Raylene Sursley also han- dles all of the products for sale around the restaurant.

"We try really hard to carry all local (products)," Raylene Sursley said.

And the best parts of ev- erything for the Sursleys, are the smiles.

Chuck Sursley said his favorite memories in the Country Cupboard are how the young kids react when they see the big case full of baked goods.

" Smaller kids come in and they want to hug the doughnut case hellip; you know that doesn't happen in bigger cities," Chuck Sursley said.

For Raylene Sursley, the way the children brighten from interacting with staff makes her smile the most. The kids come in and are full of excitement as soon as they walk in, greet- ing long-time employee Danielle Boen, Raylene Sursley said.

"What makes me smile is when I hear the front door open and I hear this little voice say 'Hi Dani!'" Raylene Sursley said. "And generally she knows the voice, and says 'Hi so-and-so,' and she knows what they want and that makes them smile. That's what we're all about, that's why we're here."

Boen has been working at the Country Cupboard for seven years, just two or three months fewer than the restaurant has been open, Chuck Sursley said. Boen, who speaks highly of Chuck and Raylene Sursley, is a beloved em- ployee by customers as well as the Sursleys, Ray- lene Sursley said.

When presenting Chuck and Raylene Sursley with their business of the year award, Dayton Chamber of Commerce Director Brad McMasters said their business not only filled a need in the community, it also became a tourist stop.

"They are supporters of the community, especially when it comes to children," McMasters said during the presentation. " They've catered many wonderful events in our community and their friendly staff al- ways greets you with a smile."

The Sursleys received the award for the Country Cupboard at the Dayton Chamber of Commerce annual banquet on Nov. 1.

"We're very grateful to the community for their support and we thank them so much," Raylene Sursley said.