Birnamwood business under new ownership

BIRNAMWOOD — For Lisa Glapinski, it was a godwink moment — something that’s put in place and a person has to act on it — that brought about the sale of the local coffeehouse from one woman looking to retire to another woman looking for something to do in her retirement.

Judi Hegewald had a vision of starting up a small restaurant serving a variety of coffees and a small sandwich menu and opened up shop in May 2017.

She named the business Emma Kait’s Coffeehaus after her grandmother, Emma Gast, of whom she had fond memories, and Kait, her daughter who helped design the concept, the interior and managed it in the beginning. She also started a grocery store, Cedar Street Market in Tigerton.

After her husband fully retired, Hegewald decided it was time for her to do the same. The trick for her would be to sell the businesses to people who shared her vision.

Glapinski lives in Bevent but had been stopping in at Emma Kait’s during her visits to relatives in Birnamwood. She loved the décor and even took a picture of the window seat so she could show her husband what she wanted him to build for her in their new home.

Glapinski met Hegewald in May when she was shopping at Cedar Street Market. The smell of fresh baked goods caught her attention, and she asked Hegewald if she supplied the baked goods at Emma Kait’s.

“I said I did and that I owned Emma Kait’s, and it was for sale at a good price,” said Hegewald.

Glapinski had been a medical receptionist for 30 years when she retired last year and was looking for something to do. Little did she know, that chance meeting would bring her to her next adventure in life.

“I’m only here because Judi and I had a conversation,” said Glapinski.

With no experience in owning a business, Glapinski might not have appeared to be the right choice, but Hegewald knew she could teach her everything she would need to know — from making the coffee and the sandwiches to baking desserts, even the accounting. Together they have formed a true friendship. After purchasing the business in August, Glapinski knows she can call on Hegewald for advice.

It’s been a family adventure for Glapinski, who has her daughter, Alisha Glapinski-Reynolds, help out on Saturdays and whenever special events are booked.

Glapinski’s stepson, Justin Bargas, graduated from the Minnesota Culinary Arts School in Minneapolis and is currently a chef at Tine and Cellar in Weston. He helped show Glapinski how to use fresh herbs and work a variety of ingredients. Bargas knew Glapinski had a passion for baking and encouraged her to pursue that dream.

“My husband, Bob, is my cheerleader. He wanted me to start a cake-decorating business years ago,” said Glapinski, who now specializes in miniature cupcakes and desserts.

Glapinski has stayed true to most of the original menu and has added themed baskets featuring her baked goods. The concept was tested over Thanksgiving and Christmas, and she is hoping to take special orders for Valentine’s Day. Eventually, she would like to expand her hours until 5 p.m. to feature take-and-bake pizzas.

AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Delightfully Dished with Emma Kait’s Coffeehaus
WHERE: 389 Main St., Birnamwood
WHEN: Wednesdays through Fridays, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
PHONE: 715-449-0040