Lifelong dream becomes reality for local woman and husband

Cheryl Hentz

Contributor

June 9, 2025

SUGAR CAMP – Since she was a teenager, Amy Jakubowski said she wanted to open a coffee shop.

That dream is finally becoming a reality with the soon-to-be-open Highland Cottage Cafe.

Amy said she and her husband, Tyler, are in the midst of renovating a property they purchased last October to transform it into the coffee shop of her dreams.

She said it had been a bar and restaurant when they bought it, and though it was a great location, in its current state, it wasn’t going to fit their needs, so renovations were necessary.

But first, Amy said there was major repair work that had to happen even before they could start cafe renovations.

“The cafe needed a new roof, new siding, new windows, new plumbing and some electrical upgrades,” she said.

Amy said the property also included a small cabin on Bass Lake and a two-bedroom, two-bath house behind the cafe and down a hill a short distance. 

Those two properties, which the Jakubowskis said they are renting out to tourists through Airbnb/Vrbo, also needed extensive work before they were suitable for welcoming guests.

“We completely remodeled the rental places, as well,” Tyler said. “They have new drywall, new flooring and new plumbing fixtures. The shower in the cabin was falling through the floor, so we had to completely rip up the flooring and redo all the floor joists in the bathroom because they were rotting. It was a very big undertaking. But they’re rented out now, and that rent covers the mortgage on the retail space (cafe) while we’re getting it renovated and ready to open sometime this fall.”

Tyler said it’s one thing to have a dream, “but funding it can sometimes be the tricky part.”

“So, having the rentals is making Amy’s dream possible,” he said.

Tyler said the rental properties are almost completely booked for the summer, but the fall has some dates that are still open. 

“It seems like people plan their summer trips way in advance,” he said. “So, we’ll have bookings all through winter and all through the summer, and then when fall rolls around, we’ll get bookings, but they seem to be more of the last-minute, spur-of-the-moment kind of things. But every weekend seems to book up around here, and year-round.”

Thanks to his knowledge of construction, Tyler said he is doing most of the work himself, along with some work colleagues. 

“We would never be able to do this if we were hiring this out,” he said. “Luckily, I have co-workers who work similar shifts to me, and they’ve been helping me. And I found some local guys who helped with the roof. That’s all huge. The community is definitely motivating us, and everyone’s really excited about this (cafe), and that keeps me going. It’s slow going, but we’re getting there.”

A self-described fast learner and “do-it-yourself kind of guy,” Tyler said he learned some things about renovations and repair from his father and grandfather.

The rest, he said, he learned by watching others. 

“My grandfather owned a septic and excavating business,” he said. “He was also a master plumber and master electrician, so I learned a little bit from him. My dad does septic work, too, so I also learned a little bit about plumbing from him. But I also just seem to have this ability to watch someone do something one time and know how to do it myself after that. I’ve watched some YouTube videos and learned a lot from them. I just look at the way somebody does something and then I go and replicate that on my own place.”  

Amy said they first saw the property that now houses its rental properties and the soon-to-be coffee shop for sale in 2022.

She said she told Tyler it was “absolutely perfect” for the coffee shop and cafe she envisioned.

“But, we were building a house at the time, and it just seemed like it would be too much for us to take on all at the same time,” Tyler said. “Then, for whatever reason, it came back on the market last year. This time it felt right, so we bought it.”

What’s in a name?

Amy said The Highland Cottage Cafe name came about because of Amy’s obsession with Highland cows – a Scottish breed of rustic cattle.

Tyler said Amy’s obsession with the breed – which originated in the Scottish Highlands and the Western Islands of Scotland – led to them obtaining their own.

“Amy has been obsessed with them for a while and just thinks they are very cute, which I agree with – they are cute,” he said. “So, we have two miniature Highland cows on our 40-acre farm, where we also have some horses.”

Tyler said Highland cows are a hardy breed, have a docile temperament and have a very distinctive appearance with their long, shaggy coats and large horns. 

“The white cow is one year old, and its name is Latte, and the brown cow is four or five months old and named Macchiato,” he said. “When the cafe is done, we’ll have a patio and fence along the patio, and the cows will be spending the summers at the cafe. So, people will be able to take their coffee out on the patio and pet the cows, if they want to. They’ll be the coffee shop’s mascots, if you will. When they’re not at the cafe, they’ll be on our farm in an insulated barn.”

The couple said they eventually plan to breed the cows and either sell them or use them for beef, or maybe both.

On the menu

The Jakubowskis said the cafe’s menu will feature a variety of breakfast items ranging from eggs, toast and your choice of meat, to breakfast burritos, pancakes, waffles and an array of other bakery items.

Lunch features, they said, will include basic burgers, chicken sandwiches, chicken salad sandwiches and wraps.

A special menu for the kiddos, the couple – who have four of their own – said, will feature their favorites.

The pair said the plan is to serve the healthiest food possible, something that is of utmost importance to them.

“Our whole thing is that our food items are going to be made from scratch and organic when possible,” Tyler said. “It’s got to be quality and good for people. We’re not going to serve any of these processed foods that we saw at vendor fairs. So much of that food was pre-packaged meats, including things like pulled pork and prime rib. We plan to get away from foods that have a lot of preservatives in them.”

Besides coffee, signature lattes and several flavors of espresso, the couple said cafe guests will be able to choose from signature cocktails and mocktails, several different flights, beer, wine, soda, juice and energy teas.

The cafe, Tyler said, will also have a drive-thru for customer convenience, as well as a fully enclosed patio.

“It’s important to us that we’re family friendly and kids are safe, at the same time,” he said. “With the patio fully fenced in, people won’t have to worry about their kids getting loose.”

Tyler said they also plan to have a kids’ playground area, “so the kids can be entertained while the parents enjoy a coffee or other beverage and enjoy what the coffee shop and cafe has to offer.”

“They can just sort of let loose and relax,” he said. “As parents of four kids ourselves, that’s definitely important to us.”  

Seating capacity at The Highland Cottage Cafe, Tyler said, will be about 35 inside, with an additional 25 on the outdoor patio. 

“The kitchen itself is relatively small, but we’re going to make it function as best as possible for us,” he said. “There’s a small grill, two small deep fryers and a small griddle. We’re also putting in an oven so Amy can do the baking. We’re also adding a dishwasher and a sink.”

Tyler said Amy will co-manage the cafe once it opens, and they plan to hire someone to co-manage it with her, as well as bring on a handful of part-time employees when they get closer to opening.

The Jakubowskis said both of their mothers are retired and will be helping out in the business, too.

Though no specific opening date has been announced yet, the Jakubowskis said The Highland Cottage Cafe is slated to open sometime in the fall. 

Folks can follow its progress on the cafe’s Facebook page.

Part of their mission

Active in their church and appreciative of the community that has helped them realize Amy’s dream, Tyler said they plan to sponsor or host different community events at the cafe. 

In addition to that, the couple said they plan to help their church host its community service days throughout the year.

“Our church does a community service day twice a year,” he said. “So, everyone will gather at the cafe for a hearty breakfast, and then we’ll go out into the community in groups and do community service work wherever it’s needed.”

These acts of service, Tyler said, might include installing smoke alarms in people’s homes, completing yard work for elderly people or maybe even helping fix up somebody’s place if it’s been hit by a storm.

“The main thing is to help give back,” he said. “For me to go help people, it motivates me and makes me feel a million times better to help somebody else. It’s better than anything you could do for yourself.”

Tyler said his servant mindset and attitude likely stems from his years serving his country – as a deputy sheriff in his professional life, a member of the National Guard and a Black Hawk pilot. 

Struggling at times with anxiety and depression, Tyler said he knows firsthand how connecting with members of his community can make a huge difference.

“I was isolating myself and just trying to plow through it on my own,” he said. “I got to a very low point and then decided to start opening up about it. Besides getting really involved in our church and the community, I found a group of guys in our church who are also Army aviators, and we just really help lift each other up, motivate each other and find ways to help people, including other veterans, by letting them know they’re not alone. We do weekly check-ins with each other and do Zoom meetings together. My message to people is that if you’re having troubles, others are feeling just like you. Don’t be afraid to reach out.”

With the support of each other and the community, Tyler said they have poured their hearts into The Highland Cottage Cafe to transform it into “something special.”

“We hope the coffee shop becomes more than just a place to grab a great cup of coffee – it’s a place where community happens,” Amy said.