Magpie’s on Main

Written by Staff

Magpie's

Magpie's on Main

Magpie’s owner Rhonda Crane always loved working in restaurants, beginning with her very first job at age 15 as a carhop.

Magpie’s owner Rhonda Crane always loved working in restaurants, beginning with her very first job at age 15 as a carhop. Even as she entered the corporate world, Rhonda stayed close to the business, purchasing for Jack in the Box restaurants in the St. Louis and Kansas City regions. When her daughter was born, she left Jack in the Box to stay at home with her. Rhonda had long dreamed on opening her own restaurant, even making countless calls inquiring about spaces for rent. Unfortunately, many landlords were unwilling to even talk to her because she didn’t have any experience owning her own restaurant. One day in April 1984, Rhonda was invited to lunch by a friend. Bringing her 2 year old daughter Maggie, they met on Main St. at the original location of Café Beignet, in the basement of the Crow’s Nest. There she saw a sign stating the café was moving across the street and the space would soon be available. With a chill of excitement Rhonda realized that this could be the opening she needed. Meeting with the landlords, she brought samples of her food, and the rest is history. Café Beignet moved across the street and Rhonda’s little restaurant was up and running in two weeks.

The question of what to name the new café was answered by 2 year old Maggie. When Maggie started talking at four and a half months, she jabbered between words and was promptly dubbed ‘Magpie’. The name has stuck to this day, and one could make an argument that the early talking did wonders for Magpie, who is now a TV news reporter in Florida. With ‘Magpie’ toddling around in the kitchen of the Crow’s Nest building, the new name was a winner!

Although she struggled for the first couple of years, as any new business might, things turned around in the third year. By the fourth year, Rhonda had discovered Baked Potato Soup at a restaurant in Kansas City. After coming home she tried to duplicate the recipe, and on the second attempt had created something that she professed to be even better than the original. To this day Baked Potato Soup is one of their top sellers.

By 1997 Magpie’s was looking to expand, and purchased the current property at 903 S. Main Street. After extensive renovation, construction and landscaping of the patio, the new café opened on July 2, 1997. A seasonal dinner menu was added to take advantage of the new outdoor grill, and in 2006 Tapas Tuesdays was introduced. A huge success, tapas style dining involves several plates of small portions of food. This way of dining originated in Spain, and was popular in St. Louis, but had yet to reach St. Charles County.

Party platters are this year’s addition to Magpie’s repertoire. Beautiful and unique, Magpie’s party platters range from an Antipasto Platter from The Hill to Hummus with Grilled Pita and Veggies. Another popular choice are dessert trays consisting of mini phyllo shells filled with an assortment of Hershey Pie, Coconut Cream Pie, Banana Heath with Caramel and Lemon or Vanilla Custard with fruit fillings.

From a serendipitous lunch date, Rhonda Crane’s dream of owning her own restaurant came true. Now celebrating its 25th year in business, Magpie’s is a mainstay in Historic St. Charles, and the place to go when you are looking for friendly atmosphere, excellent food, and superior service. Stop by and visit this quaint little café on Main St, tell them Laura sent you, and don’t forget to try the Baked Potato Soup!