January 19, 2021 – by Stephanie Lundeen, Owner of Café Wren
Over the past 17 years, Café Wren has grown into a community of shared values. At our heart, the café is about sparking connections, sourcing from area producers, supporting local artisans, and serving coffee with integrity. A large percentage of our food is local and we take care to know farmers, the land, and even the happy hens that produce our eggs.
With a little bit of experience and lots of luck I have managed nearly two decades in the food industry (including this pandemic). In 2003, I purchased this quaint trailside café located one mile north of Luck, WI. Prior to the café I earned a degree in sustainable agriculture education, worked for several Minnesota non-profits, helped open a Twin Cities food co-op, and established the Northeast Minneapolis Farmers Market.
The house the café occupies is over 100 years old. Several remodels and additions later, it’s now a popular food destination not only for locals but for silent sports enthusiasts, lake home owners, and tourists. People drive from miles around to feel right at home.
We work hard to make the café environmentally sustainable and use solar energy for our hot water needs. The café is a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) drop site. We have a common room which serves as a large well-lit space for meetings and gatherings. Annually we feature a Spring Plant Sale and a Holiday Art Sale. Area artists decorate our walls and our retail area features local products. It’s not uncommon for someone to come in for a mocha and leave with a bottle of rhubarb shrub mixer, pottery, and a greeting card.
The café is adjacent to the Gandy Dancer State Trail. Spring thru fall we serve trail enthusiasts that love biking, hiking, and geocaching. I am a founding member of the Friends of Gandy Dancer and work hard to promote and maintain this trail for quiet sports.
So, any thoughts on what I like to do for fun? My favorite local getaway is to ride bike or ski on the Stower Trail and fill my belly at Farm Table! I have so much admiration for Farm Table’s passion and mission. From serving a hyper-local menu that is both accessible and affordable to teaching classes on everything from food preservation to making lefse—they do it all. I have watched Farm Table evolve, grow, and do so much good in such a short amount of time. I take great pride telling my customers about this extraordinary local food hub in Amery. Food is what connects us to the things that matter most. Thank you Farm Table!
