Meet the nofolks

NOFO's visually vibrant, quirky, and unique. It's chockfull of enticing product and really good food. But, it's primary asset may be its wonderful mix of unique and interesting people.


Our owner, Jean

Jean Poe Martin grew up in Raleigh and has lived happily in the Five Points Neighborhood for over 60 years. She is the proud mother of three daughters and has six rocking grandchildren.
Sissy Ashby, Doug Diesing, and Jean were partners in Simple Pleasures Market & Cafe in the Glenwood Village Shopping Center from the late 70's to the mid 90's. They had the sheer delight of doing business in a simpler world that managed to turn quite nicely without big box stores, really fast food, Tweets, and the internet.
Sissy and Jean remain partners at Glenwood Grill which has fed neighborhood folks for 22 years at its Glenwood Village location.
Always a loyal Piggly Wiggly customer, Jean is happy to have brought life back to the pig through NOFO. She supports all things local and gives thanks every day that she is lucky enough to live in Raleigh, North Carolina and work with the fine folks at NOFO.


Anne

NOFO's bookkeeper, building manager, former cafe manager and retail salesperson, Anne's been the glue at NOFO for nine years. An avid reader and cyclist, she enjoys traveling with her husband, baking yeast rolls, and raising their 4 cats.
Fave take-home: Spaghetti Pie, Moonstruck Chocolates, Montana Gold Cake
Fave thing about NOFO: "I'm never bored!"


Lindy

We have kept Lindy really busy for five years, which may explain her description of NOFO as "a schizophrenic scavenger hunt". Lindy is NOFO's Market Manager, heads up the toy department, is NOFO's candy expert, and is great at finding the quirky, odd, & unusual. She also serves as our in-house cheerleader for Buy Local.
Fave take-home: Matthew's Chocolates
If she could have anything from NOFO: Rodney the stuffed rat


Lee

An avid art collector and retired art gallery owner, Lee's been at NOFO for over four years as the curator of the Carolina Collection. She's the proud mother of two and loving grandmother of five.
Fave take-home: Yorkshire Tea, Carrboro Coffee, NOFO grits, chicken pot pie
If she could have anything from NOFO: Linen tops & dresses from the Carolina Collection


Donna

Donna, the artist behind Studio 119, makes found-art jewelry and hand-bound journals that we sell at NOFO. A former nurse who grew up in upperstate New York and the mother of two sons, she somehow finds the time to work in our store.
If she could have anything from NOFO:/ Vegan leather clutches from Amy Barnard of The Wayward Stitch


Lia

After graduating from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a major in photography, Lia spent time in New York pursuing her career as a fashion photographer. With a cover photo for Nue Magazine and a second cover out soon, she's now based in Garner as a free lancer and is working at NOFO.


Dan

Our dinner chef, Dan grew up in Raleigh and has been a part of the Capital City restaurant scene for years. When he's not in our kitchen, he's busy cooking, creating new dishes and perfecting his craft at home.
Fave take-home: Ham rolls, chicken pot pie, collards
Fave thing about NOFO: Working with wonderful people


Matthew (AKA Teo)

Matthew calls himself a military brat, but we've yet to see a bratty side during his three years at NOFO's bar. A talented artist who rides a handpainted scooter, Matt's a student at Wake Tech.
Fave cocktail: The Chuckle Buckle
Fave brunch: Eggs Benedict


Becky

Becky's married to a local chef and has a 10 year old son, Caden. She's been a server at NOFO for 11 years, is a runner and an avid organic gardener and amateur herbalist. Becky's jams, jellies, and pickles have won numerous Blue Ribbons at the NC State Fair.
If she could have anything from NOFO: Metal mama sow & her 4 piglets
Fave brunch: Pulled Pork Hash


Karen

Karen may be retired from her own corporate relocation business, but she's the busiest person we know. A life-long learner, mother of an NC State student, hiker, biker, kayaker, snow skier and avid board game player, she has hosted in our cafe for five years.
Fave thing about NOFO: Helping the customers


Mary Clare

A special ed teacher, Mary Clare has worked at NOFO off and on for nine years as a hostess, server, and bartender. She keeps coming back for the friendly faces, the jewelry, & the pimento cheese.
Fave lunch: Pimento cheese sandwich with tomato & bacon
Fave wine: 1919 Cab


Annie

For 4 years, Annie has been balancing working as a server at NOFO with studying to become an Environmental Engineer. She's an avid runner who enjoys cliff diving and is engaged to be married.
Fave take-home: Sea salt caramels, coffee, ham rolls
Fave lunch: Avocado BLT