Sail Away Café offers gathering place

Afton's new Sail Away Café is filling a needed role in Afton by providing a community gathering place.

Owned and operated by local residents Olly and Marj Weir, the restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and regularly hosts themed events to bring people together. A full bar, take-out dinners and pizza, and an expresso machine complement sit-down meals.

“Afton is a rural, wooded community where people are tucked away in their own spaces," said owner Olly Weir. "Our goal is to provide a place where people can gather for good food and fun times.”

There was a a card (making) party with dinner and dessert on Feb. 4. A book club and an investment club are both starting in February.

Olly Weir has a long history in the restaurant business, running the kitchen for the St. Paul Hotel, Andiamo Boats on the St. Croix River and Phil's Tara Hideaway in Stillwater.

Marj Weir is a realtor, but has a background in graphic design, baking and inventing. Her artistry is seen throughout the restaurant, in the sky-painted ceiling and the mosaic tile wall featuring a sailboat with back-lighting.

"Sail Away is a great addition to the downtown Afton community," Jim Gasperini of the Afton Law Office said. "It is a great to have a place where you can run into friends and meet with clients or neighbors.”

Olly Weir enjoys trying out new recipes, such as eggs benedict with mahi Mmhi and mojo sauce with cilantro. Specials change weekly.

For the next few months, the theme is sailing away´to warmer places.

“Afton’s quaint, historic downtown, state park and Afton Alp's ski hill draw suburban and city dwellers year round,” said Julia Welter, former mayor of Afton. “Now they can enjoy an outstanding meal at Sail Away during their visit."

The restaurant features live music, too. This winter, “Captain Dan” is performing every Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.

The restaurant is located in the Afton Market Square, 3121 S. St. Croix Trail, and is open every day at 8 a.m. Closing time is 8 p.m. or later except Monday and Tuesday when the Sail Away closes at 3 p.m. Hours are longer in the summer, or when the crowd is not ready to leave.

For weekly specials and themes, visit www.VisitAfton.com and join the restaurant's e-mail list.

Tags: business, afton, sail, away, cafe, weir, restaurant