SOME THINGS DON'T CHANGE. We say that in a good way, when we're talking about Grand Avenue Café. Take its wallpaper for instance; the classic book-patterned wallpaper is iconic at this point, and has been there since the café's opening in 1994.

When I first moved back to Eau Claire a few years ago, there were a handful of local eateries I was glad to put back into my rotation. To appease my sweet tooth – and more often than not, to stop stress-induced freak-outs in their tracks during the work week – I went to Grand Avenue Café.

I’d argue Grand Avenue Café (119 W. Grand Ave., Eau Claire) is in a league of its own as far as downtown area coffee shops go. When I chatted with owner Deb Retallick, she agreed.

Since celebrating her 25th year of ownership this year, she’s had time to reflect on what keeps her at it and what keeps folks coming back to the West Grand Ave. staple. Funnily enough, Deb had never pictured herself owning her own business, let alone a local café.

Before purchasing Grand Avenue Café in 2000 from its original owners – Barbara and Tom Knowlton, who opened the business in 1994 – Deb spent over two decades as a booker at Cassidy’s Super Market, a beloved former grocery in town. Then, Cassidy’s was bought out and consequently left Deb without a job.

Within a few months, she would own the cafe. She (lovingly, dryly) blames her husband.

“I’m just going to say it this way,” Deb started, “My husband couldn’t stand that I was off work for five months, and he (was) like, ’this little café is for sale. We need to buy it.’ He was the cook end, I was the bookend.”

Over the years each of her three children have also worked at the café, and today, there are plenty of folks Deb has seen grow up and regulars who she knows by name.

Steam rolled out of Deb’s coffee mug while she looked around, pointing to people seated or standing near us. “I know him and her, her, him, and her,” she said.

It's the closeness, I guess, of the community. I wouldn't have it – this place – if it wasn't for them coming back. –Deb Retallick, longtime owner of Grand Avenue Café

Deb shared some sweet stories and moments between customers, former employees, and friends from over the years (plus some wry remarks, which I imagine to be staple from Deb, after spending an hour together). She didn’t shy away from mentioning the hard times, either.

“You’ve got your good times and your bad times. It became a challenge for me, to make sure that I was going to keep doing this. I’m not giving up; You ain’t telling me to shut my door,” she said. “People thank me for keeping this place going… We’re not like the rest of the places, that’s what I always say.”

To that end, the proof is in the pudding. (Literally. If you know anything about staple local sweets, you know Grand Avenue Café’s iconic bread pudding. It can’t be good for your heart but is most certainly good for your soul.)

Grand Avenue Café's bread pudding is basically legend. They also run a number of specials, and recently, they offered this fruit-topped spin on the bread pudding dessert.

Grand Avenue Café offers breakfast dishes, sandwiches and soups, baked goods, tea and coffee drinks, and more. 

Grand Avenue Café is perhaps best known for its homey atmosphere, marked by its literary theme: Its classic literature-patterned wallpaper has not changed since the café’s opening, and is basically legend; the menu features breakfast dishes and lunchtime entrees with novel-inspired names (The Great Expectation sandwich, Wuthering Ham omelette, Brave New Burrito dish, etc.).

Those tell-tale details – the literary theme and wallpaper – are thanks to the Knowltons. When asked why she didn’t change those things, Deb replied, “Why would I?”

Oh, and Deb’s favorite menu items? The “Good Earth” sandwich (a veggie handheld with pita bread and house cucumber sauce), bread pudding, and cappuccino chocolate muffins. She also noted their homemade chicken wild rice and locally-sourced breakfast foods, like eggs from Chippewa Falls’ Amanda’s Eggs and bacon from Mike’s Star Meat Market.

Entering Grand Avenue Café, you get the sense it’s patroned by longtime regulars – whether that’s because those folks are longtime regulars or because the food tastes like mom’s and the service is kind.

“It’s the closeness, I guess, of the community,” Deb said when asked about her 25 years of business. “I wouldn’t have it – this place – if it wasn’t for them coming back.”

Grand Avenue Café (119 W. Grand Ave., Eau Claire) is open seven days a week from 7:30am-2:30pm • Keep up with the small business on Facebook or call at (715) 831-1100.

Deb's favorite sandwich, the Good Earth.

Where the Red Pepper Grows omelette.

Raspberry Italian Soda with cream.