Sweet Treats on Main Street

Cici Matthews doesn’t just own and run the new Emoni’s Dessert Bar and Café on South Main Street in Dumfries. 

She’s a woman on a mission to support local businesses and the community by offering her talents, which include creating original, enticing and upscale delicacies, event planning, dessert catering and convenient party packages. 

Named after Matthew’s daughter Emoni, which means “faith” in Swahili, the café has become a showcase for everything from gourmet cakes and pastries, to cookies, to cupcakes, to coffee -- all handcrafted by Matthews with the help of Emoni and employee Braindon Woodson.

Playing off the bar theme, Matthews serves her sweets in wine and martini glasses.

“I wanted to do something different,” she said of her vision to create an atmosphere where couples could spend a romantic evening, ladies could enjoy a girls’ night out, seniors could find a cozy, cost effective place to socialize and teens could just relax and use free Wi-Fi.

It’s also a place where customers can listen to live, acoustic music and hold literary and artistic events. 

Matthews launched Emoni’s in October and has already begun her community efforts.  She said she visited local businesses, many of which are not visible from Main Street, and discussed ways to get more exposure for all Dumfries businesses.

She plans to create a guide for customers to read while they enjoy coffee and dessert. In addition, she initiated a program called Good Neighbors for ACTS, through which customers “sponsored” half a pie. The pies were distributed with each Thanksgiving meal package during Operation Turkey.

“I’m from a military family,” Matthews said, “so it’s all about community.  That’s something I grew up with.”

Customer Kelsey Grace attested to Matthew’s efforts, saying, being in the café “feels like a ‘welcome back.’”  Grace frequents Emoni’s, sipping her coffee as she completes her online college courses.

“She makes great hazelnut coffee,” Grace said.

Matthews’ cupcake and sweets sales at the Dale City Farmers Market have earned her a reputation as baker extraordinaire. She spends all day and a good part every evening at the café and said she’s been truly blessed with her opportunity, her employees and to do what she loves.

“It feels like play, not work, to me,” she said. “I am passionate about what I do…I tell my daughter, ‘do what you’re passionate about’…most people have jobs, but they don’t get to do that.”

The concept of Emoni’s also fits in with the Town of Dumfries’ plans to create a pedestrian friendly neighborhood, one that supports local businesses in expanding direct and business-to-business relationships.

“Once we start redeveloping the Main Street area, you will start seeing more business attracted to Main street…not just Main Street, but other areas of the town as well,” said Debi Sandlin, Director of Economic Development for Dumfries.  “Business attracts business.”