An Interview at the Skylark Café
NESTLED IN THE CHARMING SMALL TOWN of Leslie, Arkansas, just off of Highway 65, stands Skylark Café. What may seem like nothing more than another pit stop on a busy journey through the Ozarks is actually a quaint, family-style gem with a beautifully crafted menu and even more thoughtful dessert choices. You know you’re home and among friends when you see that bright turquoise exterior and step through the front door. We were honored to sit down with owner Joy Ellis to discuss her plans for the future, what it’s like running a business and family, and how to make the most of what we’re given.
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| Photo by Aubrey Gratton |
Interviewed & Written by Jace Barton
Photographed by Aubrey Gratton & Hailey Pease
Deitra Mag: The last time I did this there was so much music blaring, people shouting and metal clanging. It was so hard to hear anything people were saying, so this is great.
Joy Ellis: Probably a good thing I couldn’t get the music working. I think this is the quietest we’ll ever be!
DM: It’s perfect!
But, Skylark kind of came from a very sad place, because, the person I was in a relationship with while I was down there was killed, and so, it just sidelined everything.
So, I came home, and I realized that whatever it was that I was going to do, I wasn’t going to be doing anymore. Everything changed.
I ended up moving to Russellville, Arkansas with one of my friends. I was working there, being a young adult. My sister actually called me and said, “There’s a house that is going up for sale, you should buy it!” So, to make a long story short, I got a loan in the middle of 2008. The economy was collapsing, people were amazed at my young short-sightedness to the idea of that, and we opened the space.
Originally, it was just going to be a bookshop. But, eventually I was like, “I’m not going to make any money just selling books in Leslie, Arkansas. So, I should probably have some soup.”
DM: That’s hilarious! Get some soups!
JE: Probably some sandwiches, you know? From there I just got carried away. Once I saw the house and the space, I got the whole vision of what this place was going to be. I knew that these were going to be the colors, and that this was going to be the atmosphere. It’s going to be a very happy place.
DM: Indeed, it is a happy place! It’s so inspiring that it did come from a sad and unsure time in your life. But, you really made this into something special here.
Where did the name “Skylark” come from specifically?
JE: My sister. It was her idea. We had a list of names like; High Street Café, Ivy Lane Café, Scarborough Fair.
Eventually we settled on The Skylark Café. Skylarks are birds that sing in flight. So, when people say you’re going to go out skylarking, you’re going out to have a good time.
My sister liked the name because the S and the K could sit largely on the sides of a sign, and be aesthetically pleasing. I liked it for the symbolism.
All that being said, I consider myself extremely fortunate to be able to live the life I do. I think about those parents who aren’t so lucky as we are, and they have to drop their kids off at school while they go to work, and won’t see them until 5 o’clock. That privilege is not lost on me.
DM: I wanted to ask you about your branch-off projects here in Leslie, The Little Hill Shop and Court Street Cottage. What can you tell me about those?
JE: Yeah! The Little Hill Shop is just across the path here and connected on our property. It’s my outlet other than food. We sell all kinds of odds and ends. Candles, books, shirts, cards for birthdays, and stuff like that.
DM: What made you want to pursue that?
JE: Well, like I said, it’s an outlet for something different. It was an old office building that has always been there, even when we had the restaurant in the early years, it was just there. It was just sitting there, molding, deteriorating with the years. Eventually my dad bought it, and he said to me, “You might want to do something with this.” He actually told me I should make it into an Airbnb and I thought about it, but I didn’t think it’d work. I didn’t really have the money or the ability to pursue that, so I thought why not turn it into a shop for the guests who need something to do while they wait or after they’re done eating. It worked out well.
Court Street Cottage, though, that is our current project. This in fact will be an Airbnb. It’s going to be amazing. We’ve worked so hard and for so long on it, and it’s going to be so incredible once it’s done. We paid off some debt, and then we just got more debt in order to build it. As is life, I guess. But, we’re hopeful that it will be worth it.
DM: Oh, I’m sure it will be! You guys are nestled in such a beautiful area. You’re also not very far from some drop off points for the Buffalo River. I’m sure some floaters will find this to be a great place to call home base for a weekend, amongst others! This is going to be a great space.
My last question for you, Joy, and this is one that I enjoy asking anyone I get to sit down with. But, what is something that you are proud of?
JE: Oh gosh. That’s a loaded one! I think the biggest thing that I am proud of is the team and culture that has been built here.
Through the many years and discouraging times, we’ve found ourselves in a very good spot. I love my team. We as a collective are proud of what we’re doing, we’re proud of the environment. We’re doing what we can, and we’re being kind to each other. That makes all the difference.
I don’t want to be a micromanaging type of boss, no one wants that. But I really think that what we have right now works great. We have a great team. It makes it a lot easier when I’m in a positive environment.
Joy Ellis: Probably a good thing I couldn’t get the music working. I think this is the quietest we’ll ever be!
DM: It’s perfect!
How did The Skylark Café come to be?
JE: It’s a bit of a long story! I started working in my mom’s restaurant when I was eight years old. I worked there until she sold it when I was sixteen. She said, “I’ll save this for you,” before she sold it. I remember saying, “No, don’t do that. I’ll never do this. I’ll never own a restaurant.” I thought I never would. But, of course, things change in life.
When I was nineteen, I was very determined to leave town, to get out as soon as possible. I went back to Austin, Texas where my parents are originally from. I met Denver there, and he is now my husband. We both had our own things going on. He was in culinary school, I was thinking of doing work with kids or ministry in some way.
JE: It’s a bit of a long story! I started working in my mom’s restaurant when I was eight years old. I worked there until she sold it when I was sixteen. She said, “I’ll save this for you,” before she sold it. I remember saying, “No, don’t do that. I’ll never do this. I’ll never own a restaurant.” I thought I never would. But, of course, things change in life.
When I was nineteen, I was very determined to leave town, to get out as soon as possible. I went back to Austin, Texas where my parents are originally from. I met Denver there, and he is now my husband. We both had our own things going on. He was in culinary school, I was thinking of doing work with kids or ministry in some way.
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| Photo by Aubrey Gratton |
But, Skylark kind of came from a very sad place, because, the person I was in a relationship with while I was down there was killed, and so, it just sidelined everything.
So, I came home, and I realized that whatever it was that I was going to do, I wasn’t going to be doing anymore. Everything changed.
I ended up moving to Russellville, Arkansas with one of my friends. I was working there, being a young adult. My sister actually called me and said, “There’s a house that is going up for sale, you should buy it!” So, to make a long story short, I got a loan in the middle of 2008. The economy was collapsing, people were amazed at my young short-sightedness to the idea of that, and we opened the space.
Originally, it was just going to be a bookshop. But, eventually I was like, “I’m not going to make any money just selling books in Leslie, Arkansas. So, I should probably have some soup.”
DM: That’s hilarious! Get some soups!
JE: Probably some sandwiches, you know? From there I just got carried away. Once I saw the house and the space, I got the whole vision of what this place was going to be. I knew that these were going to be the colors, and that this was going to be the atmosphere. It’s going to be a very happy place.
 |
| Photo by Aubrey Gratton |
Where did the name “Skylark” come from specifically?
JE: My sister. It was her idea. We had a list of names like; High Street Café, Ivy Lane Café, Scarborough Fair.
Eventually we settled on The Skylark Café. Skylarks are birds that sing in flight. So, when people say you’re going to go out skylarking, you’re going out to have a good time.
My sister liked the name because the S and the K could sit largely on the sides of a sign, and be aesthetically pleasing. I liked it for the symbolism.
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| Photo by Hailey Pease |
“It’s this place. It’s the yard, the house, the feeling when you’re here. It’s all of it. So, any time that I want to give up, which is somewhat regularly, I remember that it’s not about me. We’re taking care of people, and it’s a responsibility that we feel privileged to have.” – Joy Ellis
DM: I didn’t know that fact! That’s actually very fitting. I think it truly is representative of what this place is for people. This is a place that you’re traveling through and traveling to. You’re coming here for a good time. So, maybe we’re all just skylarks singing on our way to this special spot. Skylarks going skylarking.
JE: Yeah! That’s definitely it. Now that we’ve been here so long, people find us, and they’ll plan trips around or even to us whenever they can. We’re central between Little Rock and Branson, so we’ve become a pretty good meet-up spot for that.
JE: Yeah! That’s definitely it. Now that we’ve been here so long, people find us, and they’ll plan trips around or even to us whenever they can. We’re central between Little Rock and Branson, so we’ve become a pretty good meet-up spot for that.
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| Photo by Hailey Pease |
DM: Have you had anyone come to you or tell you about how the place makes them feel?
JE: Yes, actually! It’s ended up helping a lot of people. But, two of our first customers who have been with us since the beginning, Mrs. Knapp and Barbara, both live here in town. They had both lost their spouses shortly after we opened. Mrs. Knapp told me recently, “You don’t know how much it meant to me — having a place that I could go to when I lost what was everything to me.” I just thought that was so sweet, and it just made everything worth it. I think that this is a place that you can go with your friends, your family, yourself, and just be happy for a little while.
I also think that with us being here for fifteen years now, and being able to create memories with people, it’s really helped us to adopt the “Skylark Forever” slogan. It doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going to be doing this forever, but it’s a statement and an admission that the memories and the happiness will keep going, forever.
JE: Yes, actually! It’s ended up helping a lot of people. But, two of our first customers who have been with us since the beginning, Mrs. Knapp and Barbara, both live here in town. They had both lost their spouses shortly after we opened. Mrs. Knapp told me recently, “You don’t know how much it meant to me — having a place that I could go to when I lost what was everything to me.” I just thought that was so sweet, and it just made everything worth it. I think that this is a place that you can go with your friends, your family, yourself, and just be happy for a little while.
I also think that with us being here for fifteen years now, and being able to create memories with people, it’s really helped us to adopt the “Skylark Forever” slogan. It doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going to be doing this forever, but it’s a statement and an admission that the memories and the happiness will keep going, forever.
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| Photo by Aubrey Gratton |
DM: I hope it’s a long time before we have to even think about saying goodbye.
Something I really wanted to ask you about, since I started following you on social media is your online presence, and your transparency when it comes to complaints you may receive. You’re able to explain and give reasoning and candor about why things might be backed up for a weekend, or why it’s more difficult to meet dessert orders. As someone who has worked in the service industry, specifically with food, I admire your ability to call out and explain the inner-workings here to people who may just be complaining to complain. Why is this such an important thing for you to do as a small business?
JE: I think it comes down to the fact that we’re here, and we’re doing the best we can. So, when people come here and all they bring is negativity and a lack of understanding that this is a small place to begin with, with an even smaller kitchen, it’s hard not to say something.
We have a great team here, and I want them to enjoy where they work. I want people to enjoy coming here, because it is rewarding.
I will also say, I don’t speak up because I want to tell people to not come back here. I don’t enjoy doing that, but when people decide to send a nasty email to me on a Sunday after a busy work week about a dish not being up to their liking, rather than politely asking a waitress to bring it back, I have a hard time taking that in stride.
Something I really wanted to ask you about, since I started following you on social media is your online presence, and your transparency when it comes to complaints you may receive. You’re able to explain and give reasoning and candor about why things might be backed up for a weekend, or why it’s more difficult to meet dessert orders. As someone who has worked in the service industry, specifically with food, I admire your ability to call out and explain the inner-workings here to people who may just be complaining to complain. Why is this such an important thing for you to do as a small business?
JE: I think it comes down to the fact that we’re here, and we’re doing the best we can. So, when people come here and all they bring is negativity and a lack of understanding that this is a small place to begin with, with an even smaller kitchen, it’s hard not to say something.
We have a great team here, and I want them to enjoy where they work. I want people to enjoy coming here, because it is rewarding.
I will also say, I don’t speak up because I want to tell people to not come back here. I don’t enjoy doing that, but when people decide to send a nasty email to me on a Sunday after a busy work week about a dish not being up to their liking, rather than politely asking a waitress to bring it back, I have a hard time taking that in stride.
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| Photo by Hailey Pease |
DM: How do you juggle being a restaurateur as well as being a mom?
JE: It’s a very demanding lifestyle. It’s my biggest struggle sometimes, honestly. I’m very hands-on, and very detail oriented. I want to be involved here and working, but I also want to be homeschooling my kids, and being the best mom that I can be for them.
I am very lucky though. My sister found her calling in education, and so she has a co-op downtown where she supports homeschool families. So, she’s been very instrumental in being able to juggle it all and help us out. She would have the kids three days a week when school was in session, and then the other days that they’re home, she has the schedule already made for me. She’s amazing. Denver and I are very fortunate for her, as well as the ability to interchange between weekend nights for one of us to be here, and the other to have the kids.
JE: It’s a very demanding lifestyle. It’s my biggest struggle sometimes, honestly. I’m very hands-on, and very detail oriented. I want to be involved here and working, but I also want to be homeschooling my kids, and being the best mom that I can be for them.
I am very lucky though. My sister found her calling in education, and so she has a co-op downtown where she supports homeschool families. So, she’s been very instrumental in being able to juggle it all and help us out. She would have the kids three days a week when school was in session, and then the other days that they’re home, she has the schedule already made for me. She’s amazing. Denver and I are very fortunate for her, as well as the ability to interchange between weekend nights for one of us to be here, and the other to have the kids.
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| Photo by Hailey Pease |
But, it’s very hard. I just want the best for them, and to be the best for them. I want that for this place as well. I was actually listening to one of my favorite restauranteur podcasts, and there was a chef talking about this exact thing. I can’t recall it verbatim, but what I got out of it is that I finally figured out that there is no perfect balance to be achieved. It’s not possible. You’ll never be perfect all of the time, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Strive for perfection and being your best at all times, obviously. But, there are going to be seasons where you’re more invested in your business and growing it, perfecting things and having your mind set on that. But, there’s also going to be seasons where you’re more invested at home, in your partner, your kids. I’ve found peace in knowing that, and knowing that I can still be here for both.
All that being said, I consider myself extremely fortunate to be able to live the life I do. I think about those parents who aren’t so lucky as we are, and they have to drop their kids off at school while they go to work, and won’t see them until 5 o’clock. That privilege is not lost on me.
 |
| Photo by Aubrey Gratton |
DM: I wanted to ask you about your branch-off projects here in Leslie, The Little Hill Shop and Court Street Cottage. What can you tell me about those?
JE: Yeah! The Little Hill Shop is just across the path here and connected on our property. It’s my outlet other than food. We sell all kinds of odds and ends. Candles, books, shirts, cards for birthdays, and stuff like that.
DM: What made you want to pursue that?
JE: Well, like I said, it’s an outlet for something different. It was an old office building that has always been there, even when we had the restaurant in the early years, it was just there. It was just sitting there, molding, deteriorating with the years. Eventually my dad bought it, and he said to me, “You might want to do something with this.” He actually told me I should make it into an Airbnb and I thought about it, but I didn’t think it’d work. I didn’t really have the money or the ability to pursue that, so I thought why not turn it into a shop for the guests who need something to do while they wait or after they’re done eating. It worked out well.
Court Street Cottage, though, that is our current project. This in fact will be an Airbnb. It’s going to be amazing. We’ve worked so hard and for so long on it, and it’s going to be so incredible once it’s done. We paid off some debt, and then we just got more debt in order to build it. As is life, I guess. But, we’re hopeful that it will be worth it.
 |
| Photo by Aubrey Gratton |
My last question for you, Joy, and this is one that I enjoy asking anyone I get to sit down with. But, what is something that you are proud of?
JE: Oh gosh. That’s a loaded one! I think the biggest thing that I am proud of is the team and culture that has been built here.
Through the many years and discouraging times, we’ve found ourselves in a very good spot. I love my team. We as a collective are proud of what we’re doing, we’re proud of the environment. We’re doing what we can, and we’re being kind to each other. That makes all the difference.
I don’t want to be a micromanaging type of boss, no one wants that. But I really think that what we have right now works great. We have a great team. It makes it a lot easier when I’m in a positive environment.
 |
| Photo by Aubrey Gratton |
DM: Joy, I want to thank you for such an enlightening and transparent view of your beautiful community! You have built a beautiful thing here. I am so excited to see what the future holds for you, your family, your staff, and Leslie itself.
Since our sit-down, Court Street Cottage has officially been opened to the public and is available for booking. Whether you are looking for an extension of The Skylark Café’s welcoming vibe for your summer float trip on the Buffalo River, your autumn trek through the hills or a cozy shut-in winter – Court Street Cottage is there for you. DM
Since our sit-down, Court Street Cottage has officially been opened to the public and is available for booking. Whether you are looking for an extension of The Skylark Café’s welcoming vibe for your summer float trip on the Buffalo River, your autumn trek through the hills or a cozy shut-in winter – Court Street Cottage is there for you. DM
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| Photo by Aubrey Gratton |
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