In September, we announced that a new cafe was moving into the newly renovated Mabbett and Breeds building at 184 S. 2nd St. in Walker’s Point. And, beginning today, the cozy cafe is officially open to the public and decorated for the holidays to boot.
The owners of the cafe are JoAnn and Rob Hausknecht, a husband and wife team whose dream has been to own a cafe that not only offers people a comfortable place to linger over a cup of freshly brewed coffee, but also a place that supports community (read more about their vision here).
The comfort factor is evidenced in the cafe’s decor, which features deep cobalt blue with red accents against a backdrop of Cream City brick. A quaint artificial fireplace and Christmas tree keep things cozy while bookcases filled with books and games provide inviting pastimes for guests.
A painted red chest also holds a variety of items for sale including mugs, tea towels and handmade cup sleeves.
The cafe full coffee program, sporting coffee and espresso drinks made with Stone Creek Coffee.
Options include house drip coffee as well as espresso, lattes (including the Honey Bear honey latte and Sugar Daddy caramel and cinnamon lattes) and mochas along with blended espresso drinks, chai, hot chocolate and steamers – all served in cheerfully colored ceramic cups.
Currently, the cafe also offers housemade chocolate chip cookies, but in the days ahead, Hausknecht says they will expand the menu to include scratch-made blueberry muffins and apple pie.
The cafe will also host "Waffle Weekends" on Saturdays and Sundays, during which guests can indulge in scratch-made waffles with a variety of toppings. The waffles, Hausknecht says, may be available as soon as next weekend.
Full of Beans Cafe is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.