Spend just five minutes with Tonya Baker Nelson, and you’ll quickly discover she has a heart for serving women in crisis who are looking for support, employment opportunities, and renewed hope. That’s why in 2024 she founded Restored Mission Shoppe, a not-for-profit coffee shop and gift boutique located at Sexton Commons shopping center in Fuquay-Varina.
“Our goal involves empowering single mothers and survivors of abuse by helping to meet their most basic needs,” Tonya says. “Proceeds from Restored help provide childcare and housing scholarships to women seeking assistance.”
Purchases at the shop, including specialty beverages and decadent bakery items, support women in crisis situations.
No stranger to personal hardship, Tonya encountered an unplanned pregnancy at age 23 and struggled to make ends meet.
“I was a single mom trying to figure out where I was going to live and how I was going pay for childcare,” the Fuquay native recalls. “I worked three jobs, which was not easy in the least. But I had to pay rent and keep the lights on.”
Facing the challenge head on, Tonya gave birth to her daughter, Sonny Joy, and ultimately founded Hand of Hope and Your Choice Pregnancy Centers, which now have locations in Fuquay-Varina, Raleigh, and Fayetteville. These havens exist to offer compassion and counsel to those dealing with an unexpected life-altering situation.
“I remember what it was like being pregnant and alone and looking for practical help,” Tonya recalls. “I wanted to be there for other women who have experienced similar circumstances.”
Tonya hopes to open a Restored Mission Shoppe in every city where the affiliated pregnancy centers are located.
“That would give more people the opportunity to develop marketable skills that will help them now and in the future,” she says. “We can train them in marketing, accounting, and hospitality.”
When it comes to day-to-day business at Restored, patrons visit often for barista-prepared coffee, tea, and other distinctive beverages. The shop sources its java from nearby Cultivate Coffee Roastery, which Tonya considers a trusted business partner.
Owner Tonya Baker Nelson
Among the half dozen signature coffee drinks available are bestselling latte Lavender Fields featuring house-made lavender syrup and honey; the Hepburn with caramel and sea salt; and the Bogart, an iced concoction involving shaken brown sugar espresso.
Hot and iced tea offerings range from chai latte and jasmine green to turmeric ginger and berry cream matcha with blueberry or strawberry cold foam (yes, please!).
For a small upcharge, consider adding any of Restored’s 16 scratch-made syrups such as vanilla, hazelnut, peach, cinnamon, or cherry to your pick-me-up of choice.
If you prefer a smoothie made with a mixture of fresh and frozen fruit, choose Blue Mango comprising apple juice, blueberry, and mango; the yogurt-infused Red & Blue with strawberries and blueberries; or a Pink Banana composed of strawberries and bananas.
Refreshing iced and frosted lemonades round out the robust drink menu. House specialty orangeades pay homage to Elliotts Pharmacy, a Fuquay institution with a nostalgic soda fountain that anchored downtown for nearly a century until it closed in 2013.
A tempting variety of cookies, muffins, and pastries made in the state-certified Hand of Hope kitchen make a perfect midmorning treat.
Don’t miss the decadent chocolate-stuffed pecan croissant. You can thank us later.
The cafe’s large farm table welcomes groups to gather for conversation and fellowship.
Drinks and edible delights are served by friendly and helpful staffers while tranquil music plays overhead.
Tonya’s husband, Robert, handcrafted a large farm table that provides seating for groups who want to gather for conversation and fellowship.
“If anyone is interested in buying a farm table like the one we have in the shop, he can custom make it for them,” Tonya says.
Near the front entrance, upholstered chairs offer comfortable seating for guests. Several small tables just outside the shop provide an al fresco option.
Smartly curated artisan gift items include wall art, handmade jewelry, faith-fueled T-shirts, candles, journals, inspirational books, and more.
Restored also sells survivor-made handbags produced by Designed For Joy, a Raleigh-based nonprofit organization that provides women emerging from adversity with stable employment.
“We want people to know that when they shop small, it goes right back into helping individuals in our communities,” Tonya says.
Regular customer Jenni Keith lives close to the business and is grateful for it.
A curated selection of gift items includes offerings by Raleigh-based nonprofit Designed For Joy.
“I always find a little joy when shopping at Restored,” she says with a smile. “They have great coffee, really cute gift items you can’t find elsewhere in town, and I love knowing that the proceeds go to help young women in need.”
Tonya says eventually she wants to create a “village of hope” to provide free or reduced-cost transitional housing for those facing adversity.
“Anything we can do to enable women to keep their families together is what we want to do,” she adds.
Restored Mission Shoppe is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1– 4 p.m.
restoredmissionshoppe.com
@restoredmissionshoppe
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