A cafe serving full breakfast, lunch and dinner is set to open Thursday, 6 a.m. at 1812 Main St. in Victoria, at the site of the recently- closed Uptown Coffee Cafe.

Owner Thomas Houts said he was a regular at Uptown Coffee Cafe when he worked for Victoria Fire & Rescue, and wanted to open a cafe when the chance became available.

“I enjoy business and diversifying outside of fire and rescue and figured that to be (a) good opportunity,” Houts, a graduate of Kenston Forest School, said.

He said this would be the first cafe he’s owned, but said he has had previous experience working in restaurants in the Blackstone area.

Uptown Coffee Cafe closed Dec. 22, 2017. Owners Jason and Jennifer Mattox said reasons included spending more time with family and focusing on the Uptown location in Farmville.

As far as food is concerned, Houts said to expect sandwiches, build-your-own burgers and comfort foods.

“Breakfast sandwiches and wraps along with platters and waffles will be served,” Houts said. “We will also have an array of paninis and salads along with buildyour- own burger/sandwiches for lunch and Southern comfort foods for dinner with daily specials.”

Houts said the theme of the restaurant will pay tribute to Central High School, sharing the same color scheme as the school colors of purple and gold, and will also pay tribute to the county and its rich history involving the railroad. He said the cafe will keep the memorabilia detailing Victoria’s history from Uptown.

“I’ve changed the colors up a little bit to reflect the theme of Central High School and kind of focusing on Lunenburg County Public Schools system,” Houts said. “We are absolutely keeping all of the history there. We’re just incorporating our own county school motif and all in there with it.”

He said he expects the cafe to hire approximately 12 full and part time positions. He hopes many of the positions will help students who need after-school employment.

“I’m very big on the youth and providing jobs,” Houts said. “I thought I might as well incorporate that into a theme and give our younger generation someplace to go, hang out, meet up.”

Houts said he estimated the cafe to open Aug. 1, but said it could potentially see a delay due to the landlord citing that a part was needed for the oven at the location.