New Marysville eatery serves espresso, food

It's an unusual time in their lives to be getting into the fast-moving world of the barista.

But Deena and Wesley Brenton, 53 and 64, respectively, already have attracted a faithful clutch of regulars to their mom-and-pop eatery, Our Coffee House, in Marysville.

The Brownsville couple recently closed down a family-owned convenience store, and needed a new way to build toward retirement.

"This is it," said Deena Brenton of the spot overlooking Ellis Lake in the Watermarke retail center.

Among the specialties she whips up every day — in addition to lattes, cappuccinos and other espresso coffee drinks — are a French toast casserole, breakfast wedge, breakfast-in-a-biscuit and homemade soups and stews.

"Short of the bagels, I make everything," she says. "I try to stick to basics — good meats, good breads, and a good coffee."

The bread comes from Truckee, the coffee from a roaster in Santa Cruz.

When developing a new product, she tests the dishes on customers who stop by every day from a nearby Verizon store.

She has confidence in her cooking skills, a fact that stems from her role as the family cook during her childhood in Lake County.

"Dad told me, 'You're a good cook and that's what you need to do,'" Deena Brenton said in the middle of Thursday's lunch rush. "He said to put 10 things on a menu and make each thing fantastic.'"

On Thursday, she delivered slices of bread to a table where a customer had ordered a bowl of her homemade soup.

"I grew up Italian alongside the kettle. You have to dip everything," she said.

Her husband, Wesley, and grandson Adam, 17, made sandwiches and coffee drinks while she tended to food requests.

The family still is adjusting to the demands of a typical Marysville lunch rush.

"I'm looking forward to the day when this seems normal, and I don't get rattled," Deena Brenton said.

CONTACT Nancy Pasternack at npasternack@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4781. Find her on Facebook at /ADnpasternack or on Twitter at @ADnpasternack.