Dutch Cafe operators buy restaurant building and land with SBA 504 small business loan from First Farmers Bank & Trust and Indiana Statewide CDC

Wilbur and Norma Jess have acquired the Dutch Cafe property along U.S. 31 at Bunker Hill. They have owned and operated the restaurant for 11 years. Their purchase includes the Dutch Cafe building and seven and-a-half acres of real estate comprising the restaurant building, an outdoor special events venue and a pond. They used a small business loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration 504 program through First Farmers Bank & Trust and Indiana Statewide Certified Development Corporation. Indiana Statewide CDC works with local Indiana lenders to issue SBA 504 loans to help owners of expanding or startup small businesses buy real estate, buildings and equipment. SBA 504 loans help small companies gain favorable financing terms similar to those available to large companies in conventional loans. Michael Kuhn of First Farmers Bank & Trust says, “The 504 program funds part of the loan which reduces the bank’s exposure. Wilbur and Norma Jess have a good, profitable business and they were able to get a low down payment and long-term, fixed interest rate.” Wilbur Jess says, “The SBA loan is very good for us.” Previous owners were members of Jess’ family who operated the restaurant years ago. The cafe has long been a familiar sight along U.S. 31 at Grissom Air Reserve Base and Grissom Aeroplex. In the 11 years Wilbur and Norma Jess have owned and operated the Dutch Cafe, they doubled its size to seat 200 and employ 40 people. The Dutch Cafe serves American fare seven days a week. It is open from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. Background: Indiana Statewide CDC (www.cambridgecapitalmgmt.com) has provided more than $510 million to 1,200 Indiana companies since 1983, creating or saving more than 15,000 jobs, and is the most prolific CDC in Indiana. First Farmers Bank & Trust (www.ffbt.com) From its beginning in Converse, Indiana in the 1880’s, First Farmers Bank & Trust now serves over 60,000 clients throughout Indiana and Illinois from 34 branch offices and more than 400 employees and has become one of the premier community banks in the Midwest. Dutch Cafe, Bunker Hill (www.dutchcafe.net) provides American fare to local customers and travelers along U.S. 31 across from Grissom Air Force Base. Dutch Cafe is open seven days a week, from 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 8 a.m - 2 p.m. Sunday.