New Restaurants Food+Drink Expansion
QUICK BITES: Openings & Expansions From Eau Claire to Chippewa Falls
some local foodie news items you may not have heard yet
McKenna Scherer, photos by Andrea Paulseth |
Whirlybird Coffee. Co Plans Expansion, To Welcome New Owner
Chippewa Falls' beloved Whirlybird Coffee Co. made two significant announcements over the past week, one more bittersweet than the other. On Friday, March 14, owner Liz Wallerius shared she and her family would be passing the reins onto a new owner as of April.
“Before anyone asks, yes, Mom and I are still here. We’ll be staying on as part of the team, continuing to share the voice, heart, and ways of Whirlybird while helping with a healthy transition over the coming months,” Liz wrote in a Facebook post, also naming the new owner, Britany.
“Britany originally came to us for consultation as she was preparing to open her own coffee shop. (Fun tidbit: she was looking at our dream location!),” the post continued. “As we talked with Britany about her passion for people and her vision for her shop, we realized something pretty incredible: she was describing so many of the dreams we have always held for Whirlybird.”
A couple of days later, the second announcement from Whirlybird came. According to a socials post, Whirlybird Coffee Co. is opening a second location sometime this summer.
The shop will be part of a brand-new build with Fitness Freedom, now undergoing construction in Lake Hallie, and include several features the current location does not: a drive-thru, patio seating, a reservable room for gatherings and more. The original Whirlybird will be referred to as “Whirlybird Flagship” while the new shop will be known as “Whirlybird Fellowship.”
As if that wasn't enough, the post hinted at more news coming soon.
Whirlybird Coffee Co. is currently located at 2829 Cty Hwy I, Chippewa Falls • Facebook
Eau Claire Is Getting A Brick-and-Mortar Acai Joint
If you're a food truck person you've likely enjoyed – or at least seen – the Simply Bowls trailer somewhere in town during fair-weather months. While based in New Richmond, the food truck/trailer is a frequent flier in Eau Claire, which doesn't have a permanent acai bowl storefront.
Later this spring, that will change. Simply Bowls announced on Facebook that it has secured a physical location, 2919 Mall Dr..
“Your community has been extremely supportive of our little business over the last several years! Many of you have driven to our New Richmond location to support us. We can’t tell you how much that means!” the post reads. “Over the last few years so many of you have asked us several times to please open a location in Eau Claire. So here we are taking a chance on all of you!”
A specific opening day hasn't been shared, the Facebook post simply stating “May 2026.”
Simply Bowls currently has one location, 228 Paperjack Dr., New Richmond • Facebook
Josephine's Pasteria Unveils Menu Ahead Of April Opening
Since announcing its upcoming opening in Chippewa Falls, foodies have excitedly awaited more details from what will be the area's newest Italian-style restaurant. This past weekend, Josephine's Pasteria dropped its menu – allowing folks to figure out what they'll order upon the restaurant's opening, slated for April 1.
Josephine's Pasteria will open within the in-progress Lakeside Village (17158 Cty Hwy J, Chippewa Falls), open from 11am-8pm, Thursday-Tuesday, according to its website.
Its menu is split into several sections, featuring small bites, calzones and pizzas, handhelds and of course pasta, among other things. Its three house specials include a lasagna dish ($14), "bruschetti" ($12) and a quinoa bowl. A special meal deal for seniors and kids ages 12 and under (labeled "Bambinos & Seniors) will offer a choice of entree and a drink for $8.
Oh, and for those part of the Eau Claire Foodies Facebook page, consider joining the group of foodies planning to eat together there around 5:30pm.
Josephine's Pasteria (17158 Cty Hwy J, Chippewa Falls) • Facebook
