After being closed for the last month, Boca Café has reopened. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25th.

James Weckerling is the new owner of Boca Café. Even with the change in management, Boca Café will continue to provide high quality food, and may include more international foods. They will serve specialty panini sandwiches, soups and salads. They also offer special waffles on Sunday mornings. Each item has a flair of Mediterranean, Mexican and Spanish influence.

Weckerling bought the café last month from the previous owner who was diagnosed with cancer late this summer. He said he likes the feeling he gets there.

“When I eat here, I feel I am in Europe,” said Weckerling, with a smile.

He didn’t change much of the decoration in the café. He simply added the Mural of Pedro (the previous owner). The artist, Shelly Bedsaul, created the new painting for the Mural of Pedro. Bedsaul was a featured artist in the most current issue of the “SevenEightFive” magazine.

“Drawing some sunflowers in the top of the painting represents [sic] the state of Kansas,” said Weckerling.

Top City Spinners performed and music by Judd Mason was available the day of the opening from 6 – 9 p.m.

The Topeka Chamber of Commerce also took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“The Topeka Chamber is a membership organization that supports businesses in town,” said Marsha Sheahan, vice president for the Topeka Chamber.. “We go to any ribbon-cutting in town.”

The Topeka Chamber of Commerce gave the Boca Café a certification called “First dollar of clear profit.” This is a symbol which represents keeping this one-dollar bill to pay for your cost. The Chamber set up this certification in order to encourage new small-town businesses.

Boca Café has always supported the local artists. They provide gallery space for the local artists at no charge. Artists can showcase their works for others to see. If people like any of the works, they can go to the website, mybocacafe.com, to purchase them.

Boca Café offers a 10% discount for all Washburn students and free drinks with their WU ID. It also gives a discount to healthcare professionals.

Boca Café offers daily specials, including a value combo with soft drinks and chips.

Boca Café is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 8: a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.