Helen’s Bistro and Bakery Opening in Stephens Library

SAN ANGELO, TX — Helen and Craig Keith will open Helen’s Bistro and Bakery Chapter Two in the Stephens Library Cafe location downtown after the Tom Green County Commissioner’s Court approved a one year lease of the space Tuesday morning.

The Keith’s formerly operated the Silo House Restaurant at the Chicken Farm and Art Center.  They are in the process of opening Helen’s Bistro and Bakery on Ave. N and S. Jackson St. and they own and operate the Homemade by Helen food truck on S. Oaks St. near the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts.

The Keiths’ proposal was one of two submitted for the library cafe location which has been vacant for almost a year.  Brew La La also submitted a proposal.  The proposals were ranked on qualifications of the owners, menu items and vision for the location, rent proposals and staffing.

County staff recommended Helen and Craig Keith’s proposal after both submissions were evaluated.  The lease begins March 1.  

Helen Keith explained after the meeting that the library cafe will be called Helen’s Bistro and Bakery Chapter Two because they are currently working on opening the Ave. N location.  Keith says the menu will include breakfast and lunch items including homemade pecan cinnamon rolls and a Sausage Jam, which is a sausage patty, cheddar cheese, fried egg, strawberry jalapeño jam on a toasted Chibbata roll.

Lunch items include soups, salads and sandwiches including the ‘Cure,’ which is cured salmon red onion, lettuce, tomato, Greek yogurt, on a toasted bagel with chips.

The menu also includes desserts, drinks and a coffee bar along with kids meals.  Keith said that first responders will receive a 50 percent discount and patrons with a library card will get a 15 percent discount.

Craig Keith said their vision for the cafe will change as conditions allow and they are looking at a way to use the second floor balcony space on the library during lunchtime.

One major difference between this cafe operation and previous tenants is that for the first time, the cafe will open at 7 a.m. In the past, renters were only allowed to operate when the library was open beginning at 9 a.m.  Hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. allowing people who work downtown an opportunity to grab breakfast and coffee on the way to work.

Helen’s Bistro and Bakery Chapter Two can be found on Facebook and Instagram.