Lacy’s Cafe brings local snacks and coffee to Atwood neighborhood

Tucked into The Bur Oak music venue on Winnebago Street, Lacy’s Cafe serves snacks and drinks from over 20 local companies. Since the cafe’s opening on June 25, Rude says the business has been well received and the community has been welcoming.

The brick-and-mortar seats up to 15, with an additional 20 seats on the cafe’s outdoor patio. Though quaint, Lacy’s Cafe provides a welcoming and calm environment for its patrons.

“It's pretty laid back, which is kind of my style anyway. It's open, friendly and welcoming,” owner Lacy Rude says. Lacy’s Cafe is Rude’s second business — after Rude Brew Kombucha , which she opened in 2017.

As a small business owner and supporter, Rude made it a point to source as many of her menu offerings from local businesses. The menu is roughly 90% locally sourced.

Rude hopes that the cafe will create a space that fosters community and helps uplift local businesses.

“Essentially, it's a community space that is trying to bring light to various local businesses, get them another point of sale besides their own,” Rude says.

The cafe’s diverse menu includes soft pretzels from Batch Backhouse, bagels from Origin Breads and Harmony Valley Farm, Rude Brew’s kombucha, Batch It Crazy cold brew, Rusty Dog Coffee and more. Lacy’s Cafe also serves “Mushroom Adaptogen Coffee,” an in-house recipe that is made with Rusty Dog Coffee and mushrooms sourced from Micro Myco.

The cafe also has a slate of gluten-free and vegan options to cater to different needs and preferences.

While starting a second business has “been an adventure,” Rude is excited to be able interact with her customers face to face — something she has had limited opportunities to do as Rude Brew Kombucha is sold online and outsourced to other local businesses.

“I think it's even better than what I had imagined,” Rude says. “Up until now, I've had mainly a really large online presence, and just did a couple of farmers markets part of the year so this has been really awesome.”

Currently, Lacy’s Cafe is open 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Hours may be extended and special pop ups and events may be held in the space on weekends.

Anna Kleiber is an editorial intern at Madison Magazine.

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