More than just desserts

If you ever go to the Sevier County Courthouse you may have noticed a cute little coffee shop that opened last November on the corner of Bruce and Court St. The restaurant is appropriately named “Cobblers” because of the awesome homemade cobblers Joyce bakes up fresh each day. Originally from Colorado Springs, CO, the couple moved to Sevierville after a short stay in Phoenix. “We never thought we’d move from Colorado. But when Ray’s computer programming job dissolved and an offer came from Phoenix we moved. We had to sell the house we had built and were married in. It was a hard decision but we prayed about it and we knew it was right,” stated Joyce. The job in Phoenix was not what they had anticipated and another move to the Smoky Mountains was their next destination. “How does God direct people until you come to a dead end? I had always wanted to open a coffee shop and Ray had always wanted to work on his laser business so we prayed about it and did it. We traded the Rocky Mountains for the Smoky Mountains,” said Joyce. Joyce does all the cooking and baking while Ray gives a hand up front. They specialize in cobblers including blackberry (my favorite) and peach. You’ve got to try it a la mode. It’s some of the best cobbler I have ever tasted. Joyce was working on a new coconut muffin and still hadn’t got it quite to her liking. “In the morning we sell more coffee and cinnamon rolls than anything else,” said Ray. The cinnamon rolls are fresh out of the oven with frosting dripping down the side. They are so moist that they actually fall apart in your mouth. “We’re a coffee house though,” stated Ray. “I don’t think that everyone knows that.” Joyce continued with, “I like good coffee and that is what we have here. You can’t get coffee like this at most restaurants. They also serve an array of teas, sandwiches and salads as well as smoothies and gourmet breads. In one corner of the restaurant is a display of the laser work that Ray creates. His works of art are etched into wood, glass and metal. It’s really amazing how intricate the work is. Some pieces of a particular work are as thin as a thread. Ray creates custom and one-of-a-kind works for anniversaries, birthdays and other occasions. The restaurant shows an arrangement of his laser Christmas ornaments. “I’m waiting now to see if Dollywood is going to pick them up. They really liked the butterfly ornament I did,” said Ray. “I’d like to get people to sell them for me. I’m not a salesman, I just enjoy creating them. I thought it would be a good way for others to make some extra Christmas money. They can take the orders and I’ll do the work.” With all the happenings going on at Cobblers it’s definitely worth a stop by when you’re in the area. If for nothing else, for the heavenly deserts that they are becoming known for or just to sit back and relax and have a cup of coffee. Cobblers is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They can be reached at 908-8700.