Today we’d like to introduce you to Angelica Sammons.
Hi Angelica, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
This all started, with a frozen meal service called Freezerlicious. I started making frozen meals for my family, while I was getting back out into the workforce after staying at home with the kiddos for 5 years. I wanted to make sure my family had balanced meals in stock when I wouldn’t be there to make it everyday.
Some very supportive friends caught wind and started ordering meals for their families. People talk, and from all those friends and family we managed to build a business that sustained for many years. After a while, we decided to utilize the dining area in the building we had leased as a commercial kitchen. Opened The Hidden Gem Diner in Willis, we operated without a sign even for awhile, our Freezerlicious customers picking up meals would dine-in, and of course, tell their friends. So we built a great reputation by word of mouth. Extended days, and hours of operation, about the time we were out growing our location we had some serious structural issues and had to close 5 years of our lives almost over night. That was heartbreaking.
We reopened The Gem as a smaller, quicker, convenience store operation a year later. It is currently located on FM 830/Cude Cemetary Rd. in Willis. We are most known for great diner style burgers, Blue Plate Specials, and made from scratch desserts and pastries. At the beginning of 2021, I opened another concept in a convenience store in Conroe on League Line Rd. Oh! Le Crepes and Creations. Unique crepe creations, Pizzas, Burgers, Tacos and Burritos, my beau Stephen Sammons heads up the new location. Officially a Mom and Pop dynamic duo. Both restaurants have a full service breakfast menu and are utilizing delivery services for customer’s convenience. Dine-in, Pickup, or Delivery.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Anything worthwhile is going to come with obstacles. From the very beginning, the first business was born out of necessity when my spouse lost his job and I needed to get one after being a stay at home mom. While operating the original frozen meal service and The Hidden Gem Diner, we had many trials, and natural disasters that would test anyone’s resilience. The straw that broke the camels back was our building becoming unusable due to structural issues.
With very little notice, there isn’t much you can do but pack up and go. Which is what we did. I really thought that was the end of it. Amazingly though, when one door closes another, and another, and another opens. We resurrected The Hidden Gem Diner. in another location about a year later. We managed to survive the pandemic shutdowns, thanks to our very loyal, steadfast, customers, and neighbors. Oh! Le Crepe was supposed to open fall of 2020, so many setbacks, supply chain disasters, and work issues set us back many months. Finally launched in January 2021. Both stores are going strong. I don’t believe being a restauranteur or entrepreneur is really ever easy. It does incite a passion that will carry you through those hard times though, hopeful for better days.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a lover of food, not just your average Jane that enjoys cooking, or eating for that matter. Obsessive, may be a better word for it. I create. I create recipes, based off randomness that inspires me. Doesn’t even have to be food related. I can make a recipe for it. I thrive in a kitchen, it is my place for peace ironically. Never is a bustling kitchen peaceful, but it puts me in an relaxed mode where worries, and cares just pass off to the wayside for a moment. Running on instinct and from what I am told, talent. I specialize in homestyle comfort food and made from scratch desserts.
Whenever inspiration strikes, new specials, and desserts come out. I’ve got a lot of regulars that come specifically looking for that new “experiment”. We appreciate feedback and take note for future reference. I am most proud of the fact that we are located in convenience stores and still manage to win over even the most discerning customers. One more reason not to judge a book by its cover. The Hidden Gem Diner and Oh! Le Crepe are unique to their category. We aren’t another frozen, boxed, restaurant in a kit coming out of a gas station. We are legit, Mom and Pop shops that still care about customers, and providing great food, and service.
What does success mean to you?
I define success, as being happy where you are at. I don’t believe there is a dollar amount, a level, or a capacity to attain. I believe when you do what you love, are fulfilled in your career, and generally satisfied with your life. That is success. You should have goals, and make it a point to achieve more, but that should not be what defines your success, or happiness.
Pricing:
- $0-15
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.ohlecrepe.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHiddenGemDiner , https://www.facebook.com/OhLeCrepe
Image Credits
Stephan Mandziuk
Fluffernutter Crepe
