Fair Oaks Coffee House and Deli Builds Regular Clientele

Fair Oaks Coffee House and Deli, located in the center of the Fair Oaks Village, thrives on the quirkiness and loyalty of its customers.

"So many of our customers are regulars - and they'll come in two or three times a day," said Linda Stiles, owner of the shop. "It's really wonderful. They are so loyal and just great people."

Stephanie Haddow, 56, has worked at the deli for over three years and said there are definite personalities that come along with each "regular."

"I know most of our regulars by name and I have fun with them. The familiarity of the people coming in is comforting and gives the shop a sense of security," Haddow said. "It's just nice to be able to exchange pleasantries while working."

Haddow said most of the "regulars" frequent the shop in the early-morning hours. She said there is a specific group of retired men, who visit in the morning, that she enjoys serving.

"They're cheerful, clever and make me laugh," she said. "They're all comfortable in their own skin and it shows. They're never harshly critical and they're more accepting. Everyone forgets things and instead of being mean about it they'll just joke, 'Hey, you bringing my bagel?'"

Although there seems to be established "regulars" at the shop, an exchange with Haddow and a customer showed that she is always pushing to add to the shop's collection.

The customer ordered and Haddow said, "You know, I should just remember your order. You come in here all the time. I'm Stephanie."

The closest competition for the deli is a Starbucks down the street.

"We're just so different than any other coffee shop," Haddow said. "When the Starbucks remodeled we gained a few customers, because they just felt more comfortable here." 

Haddow said she believes customers are more comfortable in their shop because it is more service-oriented. Unlike corporate chain coffee shops, employees at Fair Oaks Coffee House and Deli bring the food and drinks to the table, she said.

Stiles said people are attracted to the shop because it is a "mom and pop place."

Upon entering the shop, a customer's eye will meet signs reading "My blood type is coffee" and "Given enough coffee I could rule the world."

On the shelves behind the counter are a variety of coffee mugs, similar to a home cabinet. And behind the counter is one of nine employees, ranging from 18 to 56 years of age.

Marie Stosich, 19, is an employee at the shop and said everything about the deli is laid-back and easygoing.

"People here in the village are easy to please. Probably because they are moving at a slower pace than the rest of Sacramento," Stosich said.

Haddow agreed.

"There is less traffic flow here," she said. "People aren't jumping off the road to grab a coffee. They are stopping into a coffee shop and deli to have an experience."

Stiles said the deli has been in existence for a long time.

"I honestly do not know how long it has been open, but my landlord, Manir Massoud, started the Fair Oaks Coffee House and Deli and later sold it to Carmel and Joseph Yannetta in 2004. Then in 2006 my friend Adrienne Levy and I bought the store."

In 2008, Stiles became the sole owner of the store, but said she still remains in contact with prior store owners.

"As a matter of fact, Joseph just came in about a week ago and helped us fix one of our ovens," she laughed.

Stiles said she would not have made the decision to become a business owner for any other location.

"I really just love this place. I wouldn't have done it if it wasn't for the place; I like that it's funky and unique. When I go in there, even now, I almost feel like I'm on the California coast in some little town," Stiles said.

Although Stiles owns the deli, she also has a "day job" as an accountant at the Child Abuse Prevention Center.

"I've always been in accounting. I'm very much in the business side of things - but I'm the creative accountant. I always did the Christmas parties and gifts for the employees. So the deli serves as the creative side of my accountant life now," she said.

Because of her job as an accountant, Stiles said she can run the deli pretty remotely.

"I do all the scheduling and make sure things are going like they need to go. But I have a really good staff - I trust them," she said.

Haddow said a lot of the reason behind how well the shop functions is because of how Stiles handles business.

"Linda is not a harsh person," Haddow said. "She has an easy manner about her and she handles her business with a level-head. I think that attitude translates to use and makes for a well-run deli."