Best of Menomonie

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FOR VINO CAPPUCCINO'S NEW OWNERS, THE BELOVED VENUE

IS MORE THAN A BUSINESS IN SEARCH OF COMMUNITY, THE SORVAAG FAMILY HAS TAKEN ON

THE ELK MOUND BUSINESS IN STRIDE words by MCKENNA SCHERER | photos by ANDREA PAULSETH

W hen Vino Cappucino Artisan Bistro opened its doors in 2017, it became a fast favorite and genuine destination for Dunn County locals and visitors alike. After eight years, owners Dina and Galen Babb knew their next chapter would be a slower one – entering retirement – and Vino may not fit into that picture. But they didn’t want to sell what had become a beloved community business to just anyone. Vino Cappuccino is a unique business in a variety of ways; in con versation, it sounds like it could be several individual businesses: wood fired pizza; a wine bar; a coffee bar; and a live outdoor music venue. Vino Cappuccino is all of those things rolled into one – and it has served them well. Thus, the bar was high. What kind of person(s) could take the helm and, hopefully, continue growing Vino Cappuccino? Perhaps people with a background in hospitality, food service, or business? Perhaps not. Kimber and Isaiah Sorvaag, the new owners of Vino Cappuccino, made an absolutely head-first dive into the all-in-one business – pivoting from their long time careers in therapy and software engineering, respectively. Yet it is often the unexpected path that proves most fruitful. Kimber and Isaiah had lived in Eau Claire for the past seven years, raising their daughters and largely telecommuting for work. While there are plenty of positive things about their careers, they felt one signifi cant gap: community. “When we connected (with Dina and Galen), they were still trying to figure things out (with the business).

Initial support and excitement has been tremendous, Isaiah said, and something they have been able to take on thanks to returning staff and previous owners, Dina and Ga len. Though their professional back grounds may not have appeared to align with Vino Cappuccino, Isaiah said he and Kimber make quite the dynamic duo. Kimber, with her people-focused career, is thriving in both employee onboarding and communication as well as customer interactions. For Isaiah, his analytic background has proven well-suited to product ordering, schedule mak ing, and problem solving. The Sorvaags now live onsite with their children, ages five and seven — and while some may worry over a life-work balance — the family has fallen into step with the steady thrum of the business. For their chil dren, the Sorvaag’s know the tran sition has been a unique one – but already, they know it is worth it. Keep up with Vino Cappuccino Artisan Bistro (N5734 US-12, Elk Mound) on Facebook or call at (715) 879-4157. Vino Cappuccino is open Wednesday-Saturday, 11am-8pm.

Once we met with them and spoke with them, the stories and connec tions from people who were really upset to see Vino Cappuccino closing hit us,” Isaiah said. “We were just thrilled that this felt like a really amazing, community-centric busi ness, and that’s what sucked us in.” Much of the things longtime regulars loved about Vino Cappuc cino remain: the beverage and food options, as well as the live music and outdoor space. (Kimber and Isaiah are massive wood-fired pizza lovers.) Changes folks may notice are intended to continue and bolster the positive experience. The Sorvaag’s hired an experienced bartender and moved all beverage options to one location inside, dissipating any potential confusion on where to or der wine, beer, and the new scratch made cocktails. The coffee menu, now simplified, will continue to be available as well. It’s been crazy,” Isaiah said of the

community response to Vino Cap puccino’s reopening. “I knew people were excited but I don’t think I real ized how excited, until we made our first announcement post on Face book. It blew up. “All that online response has been reflected since our soft open ing two weeks ago and our official opening last week.”

Best Of menomonie

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