NASHUA – Even as a student at Bishop Guertin High School, Rachel Manelas had her eye on the Riverwalk Cafe at Railroad Square.

Of course, back then Manelas thought of it as a haven for good coffee, not as her first venture into the business world.

But this week the 23-year-old Johnson and Wales University grad took over as owner of the popular independent coffee house.

And as time passes, she will no doubt be making her mark on the venture.

For now, the only change is a tweak of the name: It is now the Riverwalk Cafe and Bakery.

Beyond that, and a bit of sprucing up on the inside, Manelas plans to listen to customers and staff before implementing any major changes to the business.

“It definitely has a good reputation. It’s very justifiable, “she said. “Like every business it struggled during Covid. There’s a lot of places that didn’t make it. I know that was a struggle.

“I’ve been looking since the beginning of last year. I’ve looked at all sorts of establishments. Then I saw this place come on the market. I always loved it here, I love the space, it was exactly what I envisioned when I wanted to open my own bakery and cafe.”

Steve and Jane Ruddock owned the Riverwalk for nearly 12 years before putting it on the market.

The staff, Manelas said, shares her excitement as they plot a business plan for the future.

“I’m listening to what they have to say,” Manelas said “They have ideas for specials, changes to some coffee drinks. I want to keep it as open as possible.

“I’m a very passionate person about what I do and I love to see other people who are passionate about what they do. I want to have all of our heads together to come up with specials and different things.”

The most significant change could come within the next few months. Now open all week from 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Manelas aims to transition from a coffee and bakery shop into a restaurant at night.

“Within a couple of months I would like to open at night, at least a couple nights, maybe Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Hopefully we be able to get more staff to do that.

“Kind of doing a little bit of an Italian flare, focusing on pizza, pasta, stuff I would make all the time.” The return of live entertainment, from music to comedy nights, is also

coming.

Much of her inspiration for the business came during an extended time in Italy in what began as a semester abroad.

Through Johnson and Wales did a semester abroad during the summer in Italy. Because of Covid, that turned into a two-year stay.

While home in Pelham, Manelas created an online business, “Life is What You Bake of It,” selling various baked goods.

Her studies at Johnson and Wales – baking and pastry, with a double major in entrepreneurship – have served her well. Her search for the right place to buy didn’t change her focus.

“I’ve looked at all sorts of establishments. Then I saw this place some on the market,” Manelas said. “I always loved it here, I love the space. it was exactly what I envisioned when I wanted to open my own bakery and cafe.”

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