No one, not even Connie herself, could have envisioned that 45 years later her namesake restaurant would become synonymous with “serving good food to good people.”

The famously acclaimed Connie’s Cafe is a sure stop for travelers in Northeast Michigan, where customers enjoy breakfast and lunches served with a smile.

Daily the restaurant is bustling with locals and out-of-towners alike, as the aroma of Connie’s signature cinnamon rolls, described as “big as your head,” waft sweetly throughout the building.

Not only does Connie’s Cafe serve delicious homemade meals, but their on-site bakery also produces breads, cookies, pies and sweets of all kinds rated number one in the area.

Courtesy Photo Connie and Gary Stephan, owners of Connie's Cafe in Ossineke, stand near the 50-foot stained glass arch leading to the Garden of Dreams behind the cafe.

This weekend, Connie’s Cafe is celebrating 45 years in the restaurant business.

Owners Connie and Gary Stephan, along with Julie Schultz, for many years have been the restaurant management team. Although all three agree that it is their staff that makes the restaurant hum like a well-oiled machine.

Gary Stephan commented, “We have an incredible culture, it just embodies and grows. Our culture is so well grounded. We are very fortunate to have some of the greatest employees in the world and some outstanding customers.”

Connie Stephan agrees.

“Our loyal staff, Gary’s business savvy and Julie’s dedication and hard work, is what has promoted the restaurant to what it is today,” she said.

Courtesy Photo Connie's Cafe staff members enjoy dressing up for a fun occasion. Pictured, from left, are Julie Schultz, Devyn Hoeberling, Amanda Laundry, Gloria Sitz, Angel Dodge, Leann Meyer, and Addie O'Neil.

The fondest memories of restaurant life for Connie Stephan are the people and the staff.

“Feeding people and making them happy,” she said. “People love to come and have good food, homemade food. Also, all these young people who have worked for us have come back to visit and to see how they’ve grown. A lot of them now are just amazing.”

Julie Schultz, manager and Connie Stephan’s youngest sister, has been an intricate part of the restaurant since its inception when she was only 14 years old.

Most days you can hear Schultz belting out one of her favorite songs along with the radio as she meticulously performs the daily duties of her position.

“You want to go to work at a happy place because you spend so much of your life at work,” Schultz said. “Connie’s is a happy place.”

Courtesy Photo Connie's Cafe staff members view the total eclipse from the parking lot of the Ossineke cafe. Pictured, from left, are Kelly Howe, Angel Dodge, Leann Meyer, Joanna Eller, and Nick Stephan.

Schultz’s favorite part of working at Connie’s Cafe is meeting all kinds of new people.

“So many of them have touched my life, not only the staff but also the customers,” Schultz said. “We are very family structured. It’s a whole team of people who care about each other, working together.”

Besides the family atmosphere, the Stephans’ generosity also shines through to their staff, providing the employees with paid vacations and retirement benefit options, as these are not always common practices for non-chain restaurants.

But the owners’ generosity does not stop at the door of the restaurant. Connie’s Cafe donates thousands of dollars annually to different charities around the area.

Gary Stephan is a true believer in the philosophy, “what comes around goes around.”

Courtesy Photo Connie's Cafe staff members gather for a photo. Pictured, from left, are Angel Dodge, Julie Schultz, and Addie O'Neil.

Angel Dodge, a 36-year staff member of Connie’s Cafe, had this to say about why she has been working here for so many years: “I like the people I work with, and the family dynamic of it all at Connie’s. The quality of the food and how much love we put into it shows. Connie and Gary are very generous and truly care about their employees.”

It’s not only the homemade meals and attentive and pleasant staff that bring people to Connie’s Cafe.

Behind the restaurant is The Garden of Dreams. This flower-laden pathway is adorned with fresh colorful blooms and thriving green plants nestled under a 50-foot stained glass arch.

What began as a therapeutic garden activity soon blossomed into a relaxing tranquil area for everyone to enjoy.

Families soon began donating plants and flowers in honor of lost loved ones, expanding the lovely Garden of Dreams into a garden lane of hope and remembrance.

As a cancer survivor, Connie Stephan encourages other survivors and their families to stroll along the path and enjoy the comfort and beauty it provides.

Connie’s Cafe will be celebrating their 45th anniversary this Thursday through Sunday with breakfast and lunch specials and WATZ radio giveaways of $45 Connie’s gift cards to 30 lucky winners of the “spin the cinnamon roll” wheel. WATZ will also be on location broadcasting live from Connie’s Cafe from 11 to 1 p.m. on Friday. Entry forms are available at the restaurant for a chance to win a $450 Connie’s Cafe gift card to be drawn on Sunday.

Come and experience for yourself why Connie’s Cafe is the heartbeat of Ossineke.