Restaurant Roundup: Independence's Cafe Brarlin, Aaron and Jack's Snack Shack

In Restaurant Roundup, Em Chan shares some local restaurants' latest updates. Have a question for a restaurant you'd like Chan to look into? You can send her your inquiries at echan@gannett.com.

Cafe Brarlin

Cafe Brarlin is Independence's newest cafe.

Owned by Alice Kollinzas, the cafe offers coffee, lunch options and desserts. It quietly opened in early June after eight months of renovations. The building was formerly a residential home until the current building owners split up the property into business spaces.

The cafe's name is a mix of "bro" and "darling," a nickname Kollinzas and her husband, Ben Jackson, use toward each other. Jackson is the cafe's manager and artist. Since the space was secured, the two have done everything from renovations to serving up food together.

Kollinzas said having her own space had been a lifelong dream since she started baking as a kid. After working in various restaurants, she felt a cafe would be the best fit for what she wanted to make.

The couple moved to Dallas a few years ago, but couldn't find a spot to open a shop. Then they were introduced to the spot on Main Street and decided to open there.

Being in Independence is a good fit, Kollinzas said. The space itself gave a "good vibe," and people have gradually learned and become regulars at the cafe.

Cafe Brarlin primarily offers soup, sandwiches, wraps and salads with vegetarian and vegan selections. The shop also offers coffee, homemade chai and a variety of locally sourced alcoholic beverages. It does not offer espresso drinks.

The space is small, with indoor and outdoor seating.

Kollinzas said she is tentatively planning a grand opening later in the fall.

For more info on the cafe, check out the Facebook and Instagram page, @cafebrarlinindy.

Hours: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Thursday; 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday

Address: 413 S Main St., Independence

Aaron and Jack's Snack Shack

Aaron and Jack's Snack Shack has moved from Monmouth to Independence's Tap Station.

The food stand originally opened at the beginning of the year, just outside Western Oregon University, offering fun spins on classic dishes and food challenges. Owners Aaron Henderson and Jack Blevins were initially pleased to serve Monmouth but realized they needed to bring in more people to survive.

Henderson said they'd considered moving in the spring, and after deliberating for a couple months, reached out to the owner of Tap Station. In just a few days, the parties made a deal and agreed on allowing the Snack Shack's operation to move into the Station's dormant food truck.

The food truck location officially opened in early July. The community has been "amazing," and business has slowly picked up as folks learn of their move, Henderson said.

Since the move, the owners have added a kids menu, more vegetarian options and bar food to accompany drinks from the Tap Station.

The food challenges and Horky Snorts (weekly specials available only via the cart's social media pages) are still ongoing, Henderson said. For Monmouth folks missing the Snack Shack's food, they also are available on DoorDash, he said.

For more on Aaron and Jack's Snack Shack, check out the Facebook and Instagram page, @aaron_and_jacks.

Hours: Noon - 9 p.m. Saturday and Tuesday to Thursday; noon - 10 p.m. Friday

Address: 87 S Main St., Independence

Em Chan covers food and dining at the Statesman Journal. You can reach her at echan@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @catchuptoemily .

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Cafe Brarlin, Aaron and Jack's Snack Shack open in Independence