HAVE A SIP & STAY AWHILE. Vino Cappuccino officially reopened in early July. Now with new owners at the helm, the Elk Mound destination and venue is back in the swing of things with its wood-fired pizza, drinks galore, and regular live music.

When Vino Cappuccino 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 conversation, 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 longtime careers in therapy and software engineering, respectively. Yet it is often the unexpected path that proves most fruitful.

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IT'S A BUSINESS BUT IT'S ALSO MORE THAN THAT.

We're really excited for the 'more than that.'

ISAIAH SORVAAG

CO-OWNER OF VINO CAPPUCCINO

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 significant gap: community.

“When we connected (with Dina and Galen), they were still trying to figure things out (with the business). Once we met with them and spoke with them, the stories and connections 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 business, and that’s what sucked us in.”

Vino Cappuccino's new owners, the Sorvaag family, pictured.

Much of the things longtime regulars loved about Vino Cappuccino 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 order 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 Cappuccino’s reopening. “I knew people were excited but I don’t think I realized how excited, until we made our first announcement post on Facebook. It blew up.

“All that online response has been reflected since our soft opening two weeks ago and our official opening last week.”

Vino Cappuccino is host to a TON of outdoor seating space, including a few decks and shaded lounge areas. 

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 Galen.

“Any difficulty has been eased by two things: Dina and Galen, who have absolutely been immensely helpful in transitioning things to us. They didn’t just sign a line and wash their hands of it; they’ve really been here for us through the whole process to make sure we have everything we need,” Isaiah said. “Then, we have probably 22 returning employees who really know what they’re doing and love working here. They’re really helping training Kimber and I as well as new employees.”

Though their professional backgrounds 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 making, and problem solving.

“Vino Cappuccino is kind of a perfect little storm. It’s been open and it’s grown in popularity for eight years, and over those years, it got to the point where it was ready for the next step,” Isaiah said.

INSIDE & OUT: There's plenty of space to hang out at Vino Cappuccino, both indoors and outside.

Kimber Sorvaag serving up a flight of wine.

Kimber and Isaiah hope to welcome more young adults and families to the space, adding to the loyal community already fostered at Vino Cappuccino. The beautiful homestyle property is also now available to overnight guests. The farmhouse house is host to two picture-perfect suites, which mesmerized the Sorvaag’s at first sight, Isaiah said.

The Sorvaag’s 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 children, the Sorvaag’s know the transition has been a unique one – but already, they know it is worth it.

“When we’re working, it doesn’t really feel like it,” Isaiah said. “We live here, and the work is so enjoyable – we see live music, meet so many people, and get to be outside. It’s really been so positive.

“It’s a business but it’s also more than that,” he continued. “We’re really excited for the ‘more than that.’ ”

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.