DeKalb | The House Cafe expects to open at an unannounced time during early May rather than its planned date of late April.

The café is making changes to the business, including its staff list.

According to the new owners, the entire staff — baristas and cooks — are now hired. The previous promotion manager, Matthew Clark, also known as Jolly Baba, will not return as the café’s booker for bands, art shows and events. Instead, the owners have hired Joel Kennedy as the events and booking manager.

“It’s a really important place for people, including myself for [nearly] 10 years since I was in high school, and I’m just excited to be a part of it,” Kennedy said. “I want to keep the House Cafe as people know it, as much as I can on my end. I worked with Jolly for years … and I know he’s a tough act to follow. In all honesty, I think he did a fantastic job.

“The one thing that most people have been asking about, in terms of reopening, is the open mic night. We’re still setting it up. We’re still hoping to have it on Mondays … .

We probably won’t be able to do events … until the beginning of June, [and] open mic should probably start then.”

Kennedy worked with Kickstand Productions for five years as a production manager.

“He’s grown up here his entire life,” said co-owner Alex Fausett. “He’s worked here for years with Otto’s and Seventh Street. So, I think it’ll be a good fit.”

Bands like Beebs and Her Money Makers and Barb City Stompers have already approached the venue to play in the fall.

The café is also making changes to its menu.

“We are going to be opening for breakfast,” said co-owner Brian Fausett. “We’ll be opening at 6 a.m., so there will be a breakfast side of the menu.”

When the café opens, the breakfast side of the menu will consist of simple items, including bagels, muffins, juices, smoothies and egg sandwiches. The regular menu will include callie salad, tofu sandwiches, seitan and other vegan items.