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Reid gambled on opening the restaurant, which features homemade desserts and breads.
"I was ready to work for myself. The timing was right," he said.
So far, the gamble seems to be paying off. In the past, Reid has tested the markets by offering his products at the Washington Farmers' Market and several area craft fairs and other events.
"That kind of convinced me there was a market for it," he said.
The restaurant opened earlier this year, but it didn't take long for word of mouth to get out, Reid said.
"That first day, there was a line out the door for three hours," he said.
Reid said he, along with many of his friends and customers, are very optimistic about the business.
His business model is simple.
"Everything I have is homemade, from the bread to the potato salad, heck, I even roast all my own meats," he said.
His meats come from Williams Brothers Meat Co., a local business and friends of Reid's, he said.
"I don't use shortening or preservatives, this stuff is made with all the best ingredients," Reid said.
"I give a good product at a good price because I want customers to come back," he said.
Reid said he hopes to expand to allow for a wait staff to serve those who come to dinein and offer carryout services next door in his kitchen as well as delivery to the downtown area.
While Reid is looking towards the future, he's still focused on the day-to-day operations too.
"I'm getting my timing down so that I'm pulling all my fresh breads out of the oven right as the lunch crowd starts to show up," he said.
He also remembers how it got started, with four months of work from himself and friends to turn the store from offices into what it is now.
"With the help of a lot of friends, I was able to get the doors open," Reid said.
In addition to breakfast, lunch and desserts, the business also offers catering services.
The bakery and deli is open Mondays through Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.
For more information people may call Joe's Bakery and Delicatessen at 636-390-8282.
