CVTC students brush up on skills in new dental simulation lab
Company relocation to Green Bay is ‘already paying dividends’
January 22, 2024
LA CROSSE – When customers walk through the doors of Bluebird Bakery & Café, Co-owner Faith Anderson said she wants “you to feel at home.”
“Our doors are open to everyone,” she said. “We want them to feel at home here.”
Anderson said she was inspired to open Bluebird in hopes of recreating the atmosphere and camaraderie she often experienced when getting together with her friends – talking and eating homemade baked goods.
“It was peaceful and such a safe feeling, and I wanted to create that experience for other people,” she said. “A place where people could gather and feel safe and at home.”
Located at 58 Copeland Ave. in La Crosse, Bluebird opened in May 2022 and offers breads, desserts, sandwiches and specialty coffees.
The bakery and café, Anderson said, serves Bella Goose Coffee, which is roasted in Wisconsin Dells.
“I think we have the best coffee in town,” she said, adding her menu favorites are the chocolate chip cookies and the maple cinnamon latte.
Anderson said she is one of several people who co-own the business.
Her brother, Joseph Rohloff, and his business partner Kody Taylor are also owners along with their wives.
Head baker Kayla Hendrix is another co-owner.
“Kayla came with experience from a bakery and a coffeehouse, so that was helpful as we launched,” she said.
In all, Bluebird has 19 employees.
Something for everyone
In addition to in-shop ordering, Anderson said Bluebird offers online ordering and opened a drive-up window last summer as another way to reach customers.
“Having the drive-thru allows us to serve more people,” she said. “And being able to order ahead and pay online is also what our customers expect.”
Being a short distance from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse campus and surrounded by other local businesses, Anderson said Bluebird serves a diverse group of customers – from college students and young professionals to families and retirees.
Running a small business, especially one involving food, Anderson said, is not easy.
But she said Bluebird has built its audience as it focuses on providing the best customer service and yummy food.
“We often get compliments from people saying how welcome they feel here and how our employees all have smiles on their faces,” she said. “And we are not just coffee. We are a café and bakery, too, and people are attracted to that.”
Bluebird’s beverage item options, Anderson said, are typical of a coffee shop, including lattes, cappuccinos, cold brew and Americanos.
Food items available include a toasted turkey and bacon sandwich, the Rachel sandwich, pepperoni pizza rolls and a breakfast sandwich.
Baked goods on the menu include freshly made bread, cinnamon rolls, scones, cookies and muffins.
Bluebird also offers catering services – which include boxed lunches, baked goods and beverages.
The café recently launched its Bakers Choice Variety Packs – which Anderson said can help customers take the guesswork out of planning for their next meeting or get-together.
Variety packs come in 10, 20 and 50 treat options.
Bluebird also carries a variety of retail items, including apparel, cups, packaged coffee, honey and stickers.
It’s all about the atmosphere
Anderson said she credits Bluebird’s peaceful environment as another attraction of the café.
“Customers tell us they love the vibe here,” she said. “It’s also bright – we have lots of big windows and white walls.”
Anderson said Bluebird Bakery & Café also hosts pop-up shops to support other small businesses in the region.
“We are all in this together, and if we can bring some attention to these other businesses, that’s great,” she said. “It’s all about helping each other out.”
As for the café’s name, Anderson said it was inspired by a painting of a man who made homes for birds because he wanted them to feel safe.
“That captures what we are trying to do here – help people feel at home,” Anderson said.
To learn more about Bluebird Bakery and Café, visit bluebirdbakerycafe.com or check out the coffee shop’s Facebook page.
