Business of the Year!

WINTERS – Steady Eddy’s Coffee House, owned by Jamell and Carla Wroten, remained open throughout the pandemic, providing a community hub for devotees of their fresh-roasted coffee and locally sourced food while continuing to employ a staff of 15. For their many contributions to Winters, which includes sponsorship of local schools and sports, Steady Eddy’s has been named Yolo County Small Business of the Year for 2021 by Sen. Bill Dodd.

“Jamell and Carla have made a huge impact on Winters, especially over the past 16 months of the pandemic,” Sen. Dodd said. “Their generosity and community spirit show they really care and demonstrate why it is so important to support our small businesses. I’m happy to recognize them for their outstanding achievement.”

“It is an honor to be recognized by the senator's office for Small Business of the Year,” Carla Wroten said. “We have created a coffee shop that is focused on community and people, and it has brought our family great happiness and purpose. Winters is a special place to live and own a business and we are fortunate to be a part of its success.”

The Wrotens bought Steady Eddy’s at 5 East Main Street in 2013, bringing their combined 25 years of restaurant experience to the business venture. Each morning, Jamell roasts coffee beans and the couple uses all fresh ingredients for their menu. During the pandemic, they transitioned to take-out only but have since reopened for restaurant dining.

Jamell and Carla have three school-age children – Carmella, Gianna and DJ-- so they are active in the Winters Parent-Teacher Association, providing free coffee for teachers and graduating seniors and sponsoring high school sports teams.

In addition, Carla serves as a board member for the Winters Downtown Business Association and both Carla and Jamell support local events like Coffee Fest, which they hosted two years in a row. They also donate to Winters Rotary, the Winters Education Foundation, Winters Friends of the Library and the Vacaville Boys and Girls Club.

Steady Eddy’s has evolved into a community gathering spot where Winters residents come to chat about local issues over coffee and get information about events. The shop has become a favorite meeting spot of cyclists riding scenic Highway 128 and Putah Creek Road, Carla said.

“We are really into connecting the community,” Carla Wroten said.

Photo: Jamell and Carla Wroten

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Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Yolo, Sonoma, Solano, Sacramento and Contra Costa counties. More information on Senator Bill Dodd can be found at www.senate.ca.gov/dodd.