Rustic. 

The floors are wooden and scratched over, echoing the style of the tables and chairs. The overhead lights are big, metallic, and industrial, like the ones you would see in a warehouse or factory. They’re dimmed, giving off a cozy vibe. The walls are made of sheet metal, adding to the industrial type design of the little cafe. On the far west wall there is a rolling barn door with a giant ‘Blue Collar Cafe’ sign painted on the face, the deep blue on the logo complimenting the silver aluminum throughout the shop. 

Hung on the wall behind the counter up front, the menu is printed in blackletter font on giant scrolls of yellow stained paper. The shop was opened in 2019 as the second location of the business, which itself was founded in 2018. So although Blue Collar Cafe isn’t that old, it gives off a long-established and homey vibe. Every decoration or device—whether it be the metal cups for lemon iced water, the photographs of the trains and railroads that used to be in this area in the 1900s, or the red old-school phone hanging on the wall—are stylistic choices that build the character of the shop.

Warm. 

There’s a dog bowl full of treats outside, eager to greet passerbyers and welcome them inside. Upon entry, a little silver bell rings above the door, queuing hearty smiles and waves from the workers. As I walk to the front counter, I take a quick inventory-check of who’s working that evening. I grin when I see her—the dark-haired, energetic barista. She knows my order without me telling it to her, she listens to my struggles without judgment, she gives kindness without cause. On the days I don’t feel like talking, she tells me the stories behind the tattoos encompassing her arm, she updates me about her brothers’ dog, and tells me about the new hirees at the cafe. When we’ve exhausted our usual topics, I head over to one of the tables in the corner by the window. Even when there’s ice crawling up the sides of that window, the air is always pleasantly thick and warm, like a blanket. I slide my hoodie off and take a seat, breathing in the chocolatey warmth of my croissant. 

Inspiring. 

As I dive into the hours of essay writing, CAD modeling, and chemistry studying ahead of me, a mix of soft Indie music and Alternative Jazz plays throughout the cafe. It’s the perfect mix of background clatter while not being too distracting—it’s motivational. I crack open my textbook as I remember how I found my love for Indie and Alternative due to this shop. I think back to the day those soft notes dancing with the smell of coffee compelled me to explore a new realm of music. I remember sitting there in the cafe, young freshman me, colored pencils in hand. The serenity of the place—the music, the dimmed lights, the stillness—was perfect for spurring creativity and channeling my thoughts into drawings. 

I drew the lady who liked to have her lattes outside, the one who always came with a book to read or journal to write in. I scribbled the wind into her hair, blowing waves of gingery-blonde against her dark navy glasses. I sketched her checker-patterned scarf as I wondered what her life was like. I wondered what kept her coming back to the cafe; did she just really love the coffee, or did she too find the little shop a secret gem, a little safe-haven tucked away in the corner of the bustling city of Delafield?

I wondered about the other customers too, as I sketched them out in my notebook. I used grays and deep tones as I pondered the life-as-I-knew it of the 20 something year old man who came to study here each week. I shaded in his dark hair and serious face, I tried to etch into his eyes the eagerness through which he bore through his textbooks. What was he studying, what did he want to make himself into one day? I continued on, sketching and wondering, imagining the lives of strangers whose only commonality to me was their love of Blue Collar Cafe. 

It’s been three years since I first started drawing in that notebook, now filled with tens of unbeknownst subjects to my developing art talent. Had it not been for the peaceful environment of Blue Collar Cafe, this hobby would have dwindled out, lost in the busyness of growing into adulthood. I have the cafe to thank for inspiring me to continue to explore my love for drawing and at the same time, allowing me the time to simply enjoy the web of humanity—those invisible strings that link us together through shared experiences. 

Unity.

While I cherish all those evenings spent in solitude, Blue Collar Cafe has given me so much more than just time to ponder the lives of the other cafe-goers around me. Through the cafe, I’ve developed a greater sense of community and have been able to grow numerous friendships. As I sit at the table in the corner, I look over the ray of tables laid out in the small shop. As my eyes fall on the table with the bench on one side, I remember the summer nights my brother and I came here to chat and grab a drink after walking through the city. Looking over to the long table on the east side of the cafe, I reminisced about the morning meetings my high school mock trial team would have on the weekends leading up to competition. There are only eight stools assigned to the table, but we would squeeze all thirteen of us in there, laptops and all. Finally, glancing over at the four-person table by the door, I think of all the hours my friends and I spent hovering over our textbooks, persevering through practice problems, filling out labs. Through junior year, Blue Collar Cafe became the location for our chemistry study group. I smile, thinking back to not just the chapters we worked through at that table, but also the gossip we shared, the jokes we cracked, the hours of bonding that resulted in the friendships I now have to fall back on. 

Blue Collar Cafe has become a personal favorite of mine. The unique style and warm environment has provided me with a reliable place to take some time to enjoy the little moments in life that I cherish. Whether it be through long evenings inspiring my thoughts and drawings, or through days spent with friends and homework, Blue Collar Cafe has continually offered me a sense of belonging and happiness.