By Hannah Wente | Photography by Hillary Schave
Lacy Rude never thought she would own her own kombucha business, let alone her own café. Sitting at a small table in Lacy’s Café, located within the event venue The Bur Oak, she reminisces.
“I pinch myself that I’m here,” she says. “I never imagined I’d be doing it. It feels like it’s not me.”
Her goal with Lacy’s Café is to support local producers and build community. She’s an active member of the Dane County Food Collective, a group of individuals working to build a stronger local food system.
“I’ve been a part of the food and beverage community for so long,” says Rude, “so I have great relationships with folks who have practices that mirror what I’m all about.”
Several of her favorite local food producers and companies are served at her café, including Heirloom Bakery &
Kitchen (vegan baked goods, including scones and cookies); Renaissance Farm (cinnamon and savory rolls); Frozen Local (ice cream); Origin Bread (sourdough bagels and focaccia); and Madison Chocolate Company (gluten-free quiches, killer brownies, and jalapeno and cornbread muffins). She also seeks feedback from the community about what they want to see on the menu.
People can come and enjoy the baked goods and coffee, tea or kombucha in her quiet indoor space or on the outdoor patio.
“The vibe is chill but cheery and welcoming,” Rude explains. “I want people to feel cared for here. All of the food is made by people who are passionate about what they do.”
Conveniently, her flagship business Rude Brew Kombucha’s production facility is housed in the lower level of the café. She continues to use local ingredients like strawberries, blueberries, rhubarb, herbs, jalapenos, peaches and elderberries from LoveFood Farms, Creek Bed Farmacy and Future Fruit Farms. Her most popular flavors are elderberry cherry and ginger pear.
theburoakmadison.com/lacys-cafe
What area female-owned food businesses do you love to support?
Future Fruit Farm — I use their pears and apples in my kombucha for the ginger pear flavor. Giant Jones — I just picked elderberries in their yard for a kombucha. I shop local — [I like] The Frozen Local in Spring Green and Green Life Trading Co. in Madison.
