I am so sorry to say the sitting area of Smurf's Cafe (the bakery, Hearts of Love Bakery, formerly Trans Love) burned down early this morning.

It seems, fortunately, someone was there when a light bulb burst and flames started in the thatch roof. The fortunate part is due to the fast action of those who were there and close neighbors they were able to keep the fire from spreading into the main building.

What is unfortunate and very sad is Smurf's Cafe just reopened this week with the fabulous addition of Dawn Moxam onto the team. Kevin Mills (Smurf) asked Dawn to join up with them and she accepted. As many of you know, Dawn has been the cook at Calabash House and assisting at Lyric for many years. Dawn also roasts and sells coffee. With all her years of experience and her delicious coffee, coming on board with her nephew Kevin at Smurf's Cafe made perfect sense.



Kevin, Dawn, and many others have been working very hard to spruce up the Cafe. The sitting area had been repainted, more comfortable seating had been added, the floor shown, all was set. And then the news this morning . . .

But, what I know for a fact is Dawn and Kevin are both very hard working folks who also have many friends and family ready to help them out. With this knowledge I know Smurf's Cafe will reopen soon and will be better than ever when it does.



Dawn has already mastered the baking of baguette breads. I ate a rosemary flavored baguette the other day that was to die for! They had plans for breakfast, lunch, pasteries, patties, coffee roasting demonstrations, special occasion candlelit dinners, catering, and the list goes on.

It was a very sad morning to see such hard work and efforts gone up in flames, but it could have been so much worse and I know with all of us supporting them Smurf's Cafe will reopen soon!

You can view more photos here or by the link in the Photo Gallery

I ate breakfast at this place every morning from the very first time I visited TB. Always enjoyed the good food, friendly service, and beginning my day there.
Very glad to hear that the main building was spared.
Any address are bank account where I can post them a small donation to help them rebuild ?
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

Ahhhh Kevin, I am so sorry! I really missed you not being open when I was there a couple of weeks ago. Everytime I walked passed on my way to Evelyn's I regretted not coming a couple of weeks later. (Although my man did make me coffee every morning!) I am sure you will be back up and running soon and look forward to seeing the "new" coffee shop. Jean xx

How horrible! We are very sad to hear about this.

Just this past Saturday night we were telling Ben & Parker that Kevin bought Trans Love and was running it.

We did not know that Dawn was working with Kevin, what a great team they must make!

And no doubt that they will be able to overcome this ashy mess and get back to business.

Like Mike, we would like to send a donation.

Meredith & Tod

Im so sad to hear this:-(, Kevin you are a very determined young man i hope that this place will be up and running very soon!!!!! x
Love Donna Niall and Kane xxx

This is terrible! I was talking with Dawn about her joining the cafe team when I was in TB last month. She was really looking forward to getting started ... and I was looking forward to being able to come down and go to the cafe. I'm so sorry to hear this news. I hope Dawn and Kevin will be able t rebuild and get the cafe off the ground again. Thank goodness the main building was spared.

So Sorry to hear of this tragedy! Fire is a terrible beast! I look forward to the new structure being built and hope to enjoy breakfast and that yummy bread when I visit next year! So glad the main building was spared and no life was lost

Love Lisa

Greetings,

We are so disappointed for Miss Dawn and Kevin. Two steps forward and one step back so often seems the way in Treasure Beach. I am sure it is responsible for the strong character of those living there, but a little less character and a little more good fortune would be appreciated by all. We just returned from Treasure Beach, but missed out on the opportunity to eat at the Smurf Café. The improvements to the café were obvious and indicated much hard effort. We did have the good fortune to share the rosemary baguette with Rebecca. I believe I ate half the plate by myself. It was excellent! Someone please let us know where we might send a little help.

Kindest regards,

Peyton (and Kim)

i cant believe what has happened this is so sad. i know you must be feeling really bad at the moment kevin but i know you will get it sorted out very soon and things will be good for you in the end. if anyone deserves 2 be sucessful it sure is you kevin so dont ever give up xxxxx

Kevin and Dawn have asked me to post a message on their behalf. They wish to sincerely thank all who have been calling, stopping by and posting their best wishes for Smurf's Cafe.

They are very busy wiith cleaning up and are already starting to rebuild. They are open for business during all of this, however, it is strictly "take-out" orders right now. They are working fast and diligently on getting everything back in order as soon as possible. I will keep you posted on their progress.

If you would like to make a contriubtion you can send a check made out to either Kevin Mills or Dawn Moxam and send it to either's attention to Calabash Bay P.A., St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, West Indies.

Again, thank you all for your concern and good wishes.

Wow! I'm sorry to hear this. Hope everything turns out ok. Will visit them in January.

I stopped off at Smurf's Cafe today and this is what I saw.







Where's Dawn? In the kitchen, of course, cooking up a big pot of chicken soup for the crew!

WOW - This is truly AMAZING! Determination at its finest! Wishing all the best!

This is what tb is all about, people coming together to help out in time of need. TB this is why i love you so much. Kevin with these helping hands you will be back on your feet in no time. One love be strong.

You see i said you were a "Determined young man". Good on you Smurfy for just getting on with it. You have some great family and friends around you, and thats because you truly are a great guy yourself!!!!! Wishing you all the best and cant wait to see the finished pics, you really deserve this xxx

Fantastic!! That's the spirit of Jamaica and Jamaicans who overcome obstacles with collective help.

Look at all my friends working hard - Neil, Ashley, Jack, Kevin - you are all such wonderful people! I cannot wait to see you soon! It is so sad what happened at the Coffee Shop, but with such helping hands it will be back up and running in no time I'm sure. xoxo

Brilliant! Fire and rebuilding begins in just days?

I'll have to check the place out in April!

Talk is great. Actions speak louder though.

I echo Easton; Brilliant!

Look forward to visiting the 'new' Coffee Shop.

Is there a Western Union where donations can be sent ?
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

Either Southfield or Black River.

What a beautiful site I saw a few hours ago at Smurf's Cafe!





They still have a long way to go, but they are open for business!

Kevin and Dawn -- Be persistent and you will be repaid in the good vibes that "Trans Love" will bring you. [edited by TB.Net] damage caused by the fire will be easy to overcome. If you need any of the old recipes, let me know -- I have them all, and I will need someone to bake me a banana cake when I'm there later this winter - Fe real!

All the Best!

First of all I will totally agree with Rebecca. Kevin is one of the hardest working guys I know there. I'm not surprised he's up and running so soon. Kevin, all my love to you always, Kathy

Wow! The place sure has changed since I first opened it in the Winter of 89-90. It warms my heart to know that it's still a "hot-spot" in Treasure Beach (my favorite of all the towns I visited when researching for the right place in 1988) and my original name, Trans-Love Sweets and Breads, is still remembered.

Full "respect" to those who brought it back from the fire damage, from "the bakermon."

Wow!! How great to hear from you Michael and how great that you still check in with the runnin's of TB! Who could ever forget your triple layer chcolate cake with butter cream frosting! Unfortunately, that recipe is gone but the baguettes are still being baked. I purchased a warm one just out of the oven this morning.

I hope you are well. Remembering our time spent together fondly and wishing you all the best for 2011.