BONNERS FERRY — Judie Sowards has identified a need in Bonners Ferry to provide a place to get quality breakfast foods and a spot to hang out Sundays and Mondays.

Sowards, with the help of contractors Jay Huggins and Rory Kramer, has been busy re-designing the space at 6371 Kootenai St., in the plaza adjacent to the Visitors Center, into a brand new look for a beignet cafe.

“These two guys did a fantastic job,” said Sowards.

Grama J’s Beignets’ hours will include Tuesday through Saturday as well as Sunday and Monday, which Sowards said are days most local restaurants are closed.

Sowards plans to be open for regular business in early January, daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. She is, however, open for the first two weeks in December for sampling of her homemade beignets.

A long-time business owner and entrepreneur, Sowards’ other business, a co-owned endeavor with her father, was based out of Spokane.

“We put music in funeral homes all across the country for the past 60 years,” said Sowards.

“I came up here to help my friend who owns the Paradise Valley Inn. I came to visit as a guest nine years ago, and I loved Bonners Ferry,” said Sowards.

Sowards talked about how different Bonners Ferry is from Spokane.

“As I was driving, I stopped because I was texting and didn’t want to drive, and someone stopped to see if I needed help. People up here are amazing! I love this place,” said Sowards.

“When my friend called to ask me if I wanted to stay at the inn and help for a few years, I said yes,” said Sowards.

This is when she concluded that she would get bored, so she opted to get into the beignet business.

“I have worked in restaurants all my life off and on,” said Sowards.

The beignet recipe has French origins. It is simply explained as, “a square doughnut without a hole,” said Sowards. “Cafe DuMonde, in New Orleans, has been in business for over 100 years. They only serve beignets and coffee, that is it, and there is always a waiting line for an hour to an hour-and-a-half.”

Sowards hopes that her beignets receive the same kind of culinary fervor.

Grama J’s Beignets will offer two categories of filled beignets as well as plain ones.

Savoury Reece beignets are stuffed with chicken, crab, or beef, and the breakfast Sutton beignets are available with ham, bacon, or sausage. The specialty-filled beignets are named after her two grandchildren, Reece and Sutton.

Along with the beignets and beverage bar, Sowards offers free wifi, a chess table set up, coffee/beverage bar and comfy chairs.

This coming Saturday, Dec. 7, Sowards has invited Santa Claus to visit the restaurant from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The restaurant can be reached at 509-230-4470.