Courtyard Café recognized in Congressional Record for excellence

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Joyce Transue, co-owner of the popular Courtyard Café said she was shocked and surprised when U.S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe’s (R-Maine) staff on the senate small business committee presented her with a copy of the Congressional Record where she and her husband Henry were cited for excellence.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
FOR THE RECORD — Joyce Transue, left, who owns Courtyard Café with her husband Henry, accepted a copy of the Congressional Record from Sharon Campbell, regional representative to U.S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) and Wally Hsueh, staff director of Snowe’s small business committee.
    In part, Snowe’s testimony Aug. 5 on the senate floor read: “Although downtowns across America, including Houlton, have been suffering over the past several years, people like Joyce and Henry Transue … have stepped forward to help revitalize these regions by opening small businesses that bring new customers and increases revenues to downtown stores.”
    Snowe cited the Courtyard Café for “tremendous work in bringing world-class dining to Houlton” using local fruits and vegetables, most notably potatoes, and other farm-fresh products in offering “delicious and affordable exquisite gourmet dishes” in a comfortable setting and relaxing atmosphere. Snowe noted that the Courtyard Café has become an upscale dining destination due to Transue’s “dedication and enthusiasm for culinary excellence.”
Courtyard Café doing well
    Transue opened the restaurant 10 years ago on Main St. in downtown Houlton and also offers catering services. “Business has been good, it’s been a great summer and we’ve been busy,” said Transue. “I’m so happy. It’s an honor that my restaurant was chosen and I hope that I will continue to be recognized for the hard work that my staff and I put in.”
    Sharon Campbell, regional representative to Snowe said the award is presented to entrepreneurs and owners who are making it in small business and giving back to the community. Wally Hsueh, staff director for Snowe’s small business committee, said the recognition is made weekly to owners for a number of things such as retaining employees, creating new opportunities, expanding and showing a proven success record.
    Campbell had the award framed and it is on display in the restaurant. Mary Lowery, an employee at Courtyard Café, said the D.C. group dined on house specialties including bourbon glazed salmon, seafood casserole and fresh baked haddock. Lowery added that they were so impressed by Transue’s salad dressings, they purchased some and looked into ordering more from the restaurant’s website.