Do Drop In is relocating

There will be a new family business on Main Avenue in February. The Mountjoys, a military family, aren't new to Portales but their popular sandwich and coffee shop will be relocating to the downtown area.

The mother and son team who own the Do Drop In saw an opportunity to move to the square when they got word that Bread Basket owner Lori Bollema was closing her business.

The Bread Basket property is owned by J.P. Stone Bank. The restaurant was formerly known as the bank's Pioneer Room.

Owner Kamille Mountjoy said they have owned the Do Drop In on South Avenue A for almost two years and their lease at their current location was set to expire.

Christina Calloway: Portales News-Tribune

Do Drop In employee Teresa Allison makes a fresh batch of sweet tea Tuesday. Allison and the rest of the Do Drop staff will be relocating from their South Avenue A building to one on Main in February.

"It wasn't a planned move but it worked out," Mountjoy said.

She said they currently rent their space from Portales dentist Peter Thompson. Mountjoy says Thompson has plans to expand his practice, so they began to look for another location.

Mountjoy said she's excited about the move to the former Bread Basket location, the main benefit being they'll have twice as much indoor space for customers.

But her sandwich shop was also known for having a patio which was often a location for groups to meet as well as live music.

"We'll make it work, we can still do music inside," Mountjoy said.

Her son and co-owner of the shop, 23-year-old Ian Mountjoy, is also happy about the move.

Christina Calloway: Portales News-Tribune

Elijah Nieto steams milk at the Do Drop In on Tuesday. The sandwich and coffee shop will be relocating on Main Avenue in February.

"We'll have more visibility, we're not really hidden off the side of the road anymore," said Ian Mountjoy about the new location.

Mountjoy said he's doing what he can to remind his loyal customers that they'll be moving and says the transition period may be tough on business for those few days, but he hopes to ultimately be operating out of their new location by Feb. 11.

The mother-son team is excited to continue to serve the diverse group of people they see from what is becoming a vibrant downtown area.

"It's so cool to see the life on Main," Kamille Mountjoy said. "(Business) is going to be good for all of us."

She added that with the Roosevelt Brewing Company across the street from them on Main having later hours has her considering expanding their hours to accommodate the downtown crowd.

"It's got great atmosphere," said Kamille Mountjoy about her new location.