More Than A Coffee Shoppe

Most people see Tilly’s as a coffee shop. What they don’t see is the story behind it.

Tilly’s was never just about coffee. It was built from love, heartbreak, resilience, and a little girl who forever changed the course of my life. Every drink served, every event hosted, every dream chased under the Tilly’s name exists because of her. What started as a way to honor my daughter’s life has become a place where people gather, connect, share their stories, and find a sense of belonging.

For those who are new here, let me introduce myself and share a little more about the person behind the counter.

I was born and raised in Fountain City, WI and now a Fall Creek transplant. I served in the Wisconsin National Guard for 6 years, where I spent a year overseas in Ukraine. I graduated from UW-Stout in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Rehabilitation. Post-graduation though, I did anything but that.

I spent a few years as GM of Oliver’s Tavern in Eau Claire and then worked as a dental assistant right here in Fall Creek at Fall Creek Dental. I loved both jobs and met so many friends along the way—I have staff now that are from both jobs!

I’m so many things—a mom, a bonus mom, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a granddaughter, and a friend. I love deeply. I’m passionate. I’m bold. I’m relentless. I’m strongly opinionated. I’m stubborn. I don’t do anything half-hearted—I’m all in. I’m an advocate—for trauma survivors, for grievers, for child loss survivors. I’m a veteran. I’m a coffee connoisseur, a boutique fanatic, and a thrift store fan. I’m a softball coach.

You get it—I’m many things. I’m all over the place because I thrive in chaos. Truly. I have big dreams. Dreams of all types.

And that brings me to Tilly’s.

After losing my daughter, I knew I wanted her life to continue making an impact. I wanted her name to be spoken. I wanted her legacy to live on. Tilly’s became a way to take the immense love we have for her and pour it back into the world.

This space was created to be more than a coffee shop. It’s a place where stories are shared, where people support one another, where small businesses are celebrated, and where everyone is welcome exactly as they are. It’s a place built on community, connection, and love.

So if you’ve made it this far, thank you for following along. What may look like “just a coffee shop” from the outside is so much more. Here we share real life. We share joy. We share grief. We share dreams. We share people.

We are so much more than just a coffee shop, and I’m more than a sad story. I have big dreams for all the things Tilly’s will become.

Someone said to me once, “Tilly made you fierce, and that’s what I love about her.”

That really hit home.

She made me braver. She made me stronger. She made me relentless in the pursuit of building something meaningful.

This is all for her and because of her.