Photo by LORETTA JACKSON Those who welcome guests to The Seedling Cafe & Catering, a breakfast-and-lunch spot that also provides corporate catering to numerous regional businesses, includes restaurateur Karen Theriault, left, the cafe’s owner, seen here with longtime staffers Leighanne and Amanda, right, whose dedicated teamwork has helped elicit rave reviews for the cafe, previously located on Temple Street in Nashua.

MERRIMACK – The trip from Temple Street in Nashua to The Residences at Daniel Webster Highway, in Merrimack, is about five miles.

It is a joyful trek for followers of Karen Theriault, owner of her newly relocated business, The Seedling Cafe & Catering.

The cafe and catering enterprise originated more than a decade ago on Water Street in Nashua. It was relocated in 2013 to 30 Temple St., near the Nashua Public Library. It now occupies a cozy space alongside the lobby of The Residences at Daniel Webster Highway, 246 D.W. Hwy. The restaurant offers a pleasing ambiance. It features a glowing fireplace, leather couches and a wide-screen TV, along with plenty of seating and a banquet room for around 40 guests.

Theriault said she is “so blessed” to have found a place so close to longtime patrons and to newer customers.

“We knew before Christmas 2017 that the lease at Temple Street was not going to be renewed,” Theriault said. “My husband, Dan, and I lived with the secret for more than a month, so we wouldn’t ruin the holidays for our staff and customers.”

Her devotion to her patrons perches at the apex of an enduring passion to own a restaurant. More than 30 years in retail management only stoked her dream of owning a breakfast and lunch spot. She admits that when she saw an opportunity, she took advantage of it.

“It was a bucket list kind of thing,” Theriault said. “I probably worked the hardest I ever have in my life, but it’s been the most satisfying.”

“The satisfaction of hearing our customers tell us how much they love our food is what makes it all worthwhile,” Theriault added.

Her mission is to provide flavorful, healthy breakfasts and lunches, along with freshly baked muffins and a variety of homemade cookies and desserts. A selection of take-and-bake dinners – shepherd’s pie, chicken spaghetti, American chop suey and jalapeno popper chicken casserole – has added to online kudos and rave reviews on Facebook.

“We were in our first year when we won The Telegraph Best of Greater Nashua Award for 2017 and also a Spectrum Star Reader Favorites Award in the ‘Restaurants & Dining’ category,” Theriault said. “I credit my staff for the honor.”

Theriault’s team – “Amanda,” and “Leighanne,” along with Theriault’s daughter, “Sara” and her daughter’s friend “DeBrecca,” – are contributors reinforcing the venture Theriault deems “an amazing journey.”

Now, the tempting aroma of homemade soups and chowders prods some patrons to enjoy a bowl and then take another serving home. Wraps stuffed with herb-roasted chicken breast, accented with artichoke hearts, Kalamata olives and baby spinach are favorites, as are the salads that include a “chef” version redolent with fresh, mixed greens, turkey, ham and Swiss cheese, insinuated among grape tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs and crispy wheels of cucumber.

Theriault said some of her most enthusiastic customers call ahead for pickup when they long for a “Jeff,” a chicken salad soiree made with fresh apple, craisins, toasted walnuts and pecans sprinkled with cheddar cheese enfolded in a wheat tortilla. Plenty of vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options have aficionados.

Office specials including platters, salads, fresh fruit trays, along with seasonal soups and selections of brownies and cookies are available. Theriault is describing another frequent request – freshly baked banana bread – when the phone rings.

“We’re only about five miles from our former location,” Theriault tells the caller. “It’s a quick trip – the food is fresh and the food is good.”