From Sarasota to Crown Point: Our Unexpected Beginning

Our story starts with a refrigerator. Not exactly the glamorous beginning you'd expect—but it’s the truth. While vacationing in Sarasota, Florida, our founder stumbled upon a café for sale and saw more than a fridge: she saw a fresh start. The equipment was packed into a Mayflower semi and brought north to Crown Point. One summer later, Cafe Fresco opened its doors—and the rest is community history.

The building itself was acquired at the Lake County Sheriff’s tax sale back in 2012. What was once an overlooked space has since become a local hub, built not just on coffee and smoothies, but on intention and love. The journey from Florida to Indiana wasn’t just about geography—it was about bringing warmth, flavor, and purpose to a new home.

At Cafe Fresco, our roots are humble and our mission is clear: to create a space where everyone is seen for who they are and who they could become. We've built more than a business—we've built a community, one that continues to grow with every story shared across a table or passed between friends in a to-go cup.