Lakeville Coffee Shop and Wine Bar Serves Up Success One Cup at a Time

There are countless people living in the community—civic leaders, longtime residents, small business owners—with interesting stories that readers of Lakeville Patch are curious about.

Tracy Hummelgard is the owner of , a quaint coffee shop along Lakeville's Holyoke Avenue, that's become an institution for folks living in the city's historic downtown. She also owns Mainstreet After Hours, a wine bar connected to the coffee shop. Lakeville Patch caught up with Hummelgard to learn more about her business and how she's made it a success.

Lakeville Patch: How long have you been in business and how did you get your start?

Tracy Hummelgard: We opened Mainstreet Coffee Cafe in 2003 and added Mainstreet After Hours, the wine bar, in 2008. When I left the corporate world I was looking to start a coffee shop. There was a coffee shop called Juniper's already in the building, and when I found out it was for sale I bought it.

Lakeville Patch: What inspired you to add the wine bar next door?

Hummelgard: My husband and I always wanted a little bar. We always said that if the space opened up next door it would be perfect for that. It did open up and we found the perfect little spot for that bar.

Lakeville Patch: Why did you decide to pursue your business dream in Lakeville?

Hummelgard: I grew up in Savage, but I was living in Lakeville at the time. In researching and putting together my business plan for a coffee shop, I knew Lakeville would be a good location. It's a city that's been growing for a long time. It's got great schools and a great community, and a lot of people who grow up here decide to stay and make it their home. It's got a nice small town feel to it. A few years ago we were ranked the fourth best town in the country to live in.

Lakeville Patch: What's on the menu at Mainstreet Coffee Cafe and Mainstreet After Hours?

Hummelgard: At the coffee shop we do all the popular gourmet coffee drinks plus morning bakery and pastry items. In the afternoon we do sandwiches, wraps, salads, paninis, lots of soups and even boxed lunches and platters. In the evening at the wine bar we have a small plate menu, so we serve things like cheese plates, sandwiches, salads and artichoke dip. Basically tapas and wine-pairing foods.

Lakeville Patch: What's the secret to your success?

Hummelgard: Well, I don't know if it's a secret, but you really have to be the face of your business. If you want to be successful you just have to be there.

Lakeville Patch: How do you compete against big corporate coffee?

Hummelgard: We do it the old-fashioned way. We still practice the art of coffee. We don't use automation and we use only top of the line ingredients. We don't have to go through the bureaucracy that they do. If we come up with a new drink today, it's on the menu tomorrow. We get to pick and choose what we want to do. All the big corporate coffee companies started where I am, but somewhere along the way they lost their niche. We keep a close relationship with our customers and offer a really good product. That's our best weapon.

Lakeville Patch: So how do you keep going all day? Caffeine?

Hummelgard: Good question. Caffeine, yes, and adrenaline. I often go home and wonder how I got though my day! It's a lot of work, but there are a lot of rewards too.