Sereno Steindl recognized as Safety Professional of the Year
At the forefront of the foundry industry’s future
April 21, 2025
KAUKAUNA – Mamie Nickel, owner of Kaukauna Coffee & Tea (KC&T), said when she purchased the business in 2022, she had one goal in mind.
“My major goal when I took over was to make sure that everybody who walked through the store should be in a better mood – or have a better day – when they leave than when they entered,” she said. “I hope I have succeeded in that.”
Nickel said she wants each customer to have a unique experience and always be treated positively.
“We get very busy and have to multitask,” she said. “(So) when I do interviews with my staff, number one for me is that each person who walks through the store knows we came into work to make them a drink today. I need everybody to feel special when they come in here.”
Located at 127 W. Wisconsin Ave., KC&T is open from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Nickel said she took over the reins of KC&T from Allison Zimmerman in January 2022.
“Kaukauna Coffee & Tea opened in 1999 under the ownership of Mike Holborn for about 10 years,” she said. “After that, Allison ran it for about 12 years. Recently, we celebrated 25 years, and the previous owners came in (to celebrate). We all know each other, so they come into the shop once in a while to eat.”
No Belly Hungry Fund
With “Community in a Cup” chosen for 2025, Nickel said KC&T recently launched its “No Belly Hungry Fund” campaign.
“I knew I wanted to branch out in the community, so I began brainstorming ideas,” she said. “I have three kids myself, so I know the expenses that go into raising children. Like many families, my oldest has said to me, ‘My hot lunch fund is getting low – can you put some money in it?’”
Nickel said that conversation with her oldest child inspired her to start the program.
“What about those people who don’t have that $50 readily available to throw into a lunch account?” she said. “That shouldn’t be something children need to think about when they’re sitting for eight-plus hours a day and taking in all this information thrown their way – all perhaps without getting a meal halfway through the day. That is completely unacceptable.”
Nickel said she wanted to do something that would visibly make a difference.
“I genuinely feel the vast majority of people want to help and give back,” she said. “They just need to be given an avenue to do that, and that’s what I’m here for.”
Nickel said beginning this past January, KC&T started encouraging customers to “pay it forward” or round up their purchases to contribute to the fund.
At the end of each month, she said the collected funds are donated to a different school in the Fox Valley area to assist students facing food insecurity.
In early April, Nickel said $525 checks were presented to two Fox Valley schools – St. John Sacred Heart Catholic Church & School and Holy Spirit School.
“Each month, I partner with other businesses,” she said. “This last month, I partnered with Lori Dibbs & Associates and Focus Systems. Being a member of the (Heart of the Valley) Chamber helps me network with other small businesses.”
Nickel said besides customers rounding up their purchases, there are several other means used to raise funds.
“I’ve also had businesses donate items for a raffle, so people can buy tickets for a couple of bucks a piece, and that money goes into the fund,” she said. “I have a special sandwich here that every time someone orders it, $1 from that sandwich (sale) goes to the No Belly Hungry Fund.”
Nickel said customers even donate lump sums.
“There is one specific customer who pays for her coffee when she comes in a couple of times a week with a $50 bill, and the rest of the money goes to the No Belly Hungry Fund,” she said. “Some of the businesses have donated lump sums as well.”
Going back three-plus years…
Nickel said it was never in her plans to own KC&T – “it just kind of happened.”
She said she worked at KC&T for a couple of months before having a conversation with Zimmerman.
“It happened very organically,” she said. “I had zero desire to own a business, but then Allison and I had a conversation in November of 2021. She told me she needed to take a step back permanently because she has four kids, and she homeschooled them – it was getting to be a lot for her.”
From there, Nickel said she chatted with her husband, after which things happened pretty quickly.
“He said to me, ‘Well, how much does she want for it?’” she said. “I didn’t know the amount, so I found out, went to the bank and was able to get a loan for it. Within a month, I signed papers.”
Since taking the leap more than three years ago, Nickel said things are going well.
“When a business gets a new owner, of course, you have an increase of people coming in because they want to check you out and get to know who you are,” she said. “My goal was (to) retain those customers who had been coming here under Allison for all those years – and not just retain those customers but get new ones in a very well-established business.”
Nickel said initially, she wondered how things would go, because she’s not from Kaukauna.
“I’m from Columbus (which is northeast of Madison),” she said. “Kaukauna is a very small Wisconsin town where not a lot of people leave, and they stay close to home – it’s a very close-knit community.”
Nickel said knowing that KC&T was well established when she bought it, she didn’t want to change too much too quickly.
“I especially didn’t want to change the vibe,” she said. “I didn’t want to change that because that’s what drew me to KC&T in the first place. It’s mostly been maintaining things and listening to the community. I’ve just kind of elevated what was already here, and maybe, with a fresh pair of eyes, refreshed what was here.”
Recent recognition
Due to its “exceptional customer experience, deep commitment to the community and impressive growth,” the Heart of the Valley Chamber (HOVC) recently named KC&T the 2025 Small Business of the Year.
“More than just a place to grab a coffee, Kaukauna Coffee & Tea has become a home away from home – where customers are family, birthdays are celebrated, hardships are met with support and kindness is part of the daily routine,” Nicci Sprangers, HOVC executive director, said.
Sprangers said the award recognizes a locally owned business that “demonstrates exceptional customer service, a commitment to community and outstanding business growth.”
“When a beloved local coffee shop changes hands, there’s always a bit of uncertainty,” she said. “But in this case, the community didn’t have to wonder for long. It quickly became clear Mamie wasn’t just continuing a legacy – she was making it even better.”
Through hard work, dedication and “an unwavering focus on people,” Sprangers said Nickel has infused KC&T “with heart, purpose and an even stronger connection to the community.”
Nickel said she is honored and humbled by the award.
“I received a phone call a couple of weeks ahead of time, so I had just enough time to buy a dress that looked semi-adultish,” she laughed. “I used my acceptance speech time to speak to other small business owners. I think it’s really important for all of us to know the struggles and the trials we go through every day are not just ours by ourselves – we’re all in this together.”
For more on the coffee shop, visit kaukaunacoffeeandtea.com or find it on social media.
