Familiar faces behind the counter at Spinnaker Cafe have welcomed generations of families, who both live in and frequent Englewood, with fresh coffee, homemade meals and personal connections.
As of January, Spinnaker Cafe, under the ownership of Lisa Domuczicz, has achieved a milestone: 20 years in business.
Two decades ago, Lisa wouldn’t have dreamed of reaching this milestone. In fact, her initial plan was to buy the business, make improvements, and sell after five years.
But the business became a huge part of Lisa’s life, made possible by the love and support of her parents. Relationships, consistency, and longevity have played equal parts in making time fly.
“One of the greatest gifts has been watching generations of families return to the cafe and make memories. Babies we once knew are now in high school, and so forth. Those relationships are what makes this place special,” Lisa said.
Now celebrating two decades of success, Lisa is looking forward to more of everything: more families huddled around the restaurant’s tables, more laughter among diners and wait staff, and more of the consistency and longevity Spinnaker knows.
Part of that consistency is the excellent staff and the care they extend to customers.
“It takes time to build a team that feels like family,” she said. “When people walk through our doors, they recognize the same faces year after year, and I think that consistency matters. We’re fortunate to have employees who care about each other and about the customers they serve.”
Many Spinnaker employees have spent years working together and under the chef, who has been part of the team for 20 years. The long-term staff has allowed the cafe to focus on what it does best: serving homemade breakfast and lunch in a relaxed setting.
Like many restaurants facing similar challenges, Lisa said, Spinnaker Cafe’s biggest challenge in the last two decades has been the rising cost of doing business.
“I never imagined we’d be paying what we pay today for bacon and eggs,” she said. “Inflation and labor costs have changed everything, not just for restaurants but for everyone.”
Even so, Lisa remains grateful for the Englewood community and its continued support through economic conditions and different seasons.
“We have incredibly loyal customers,” she said. “Some visit every day, others every week, and some even stop in more than once a day. Seeing that kind of loyalty after all these years means everything to us.”
This summer has been slower than usual for many Englewood restaurants, Lisa said, giving the cafe time for improvement ahead of the busy season.
After Hurricane Ian, Spinnaker Cafe underwent extensive upgrades, including new booths, a new ceiling, an updated fire suppression system, and other interior improvements designed to continue its legacy.
As Lisa and the Spinnaker team walk into this milestone, the recipe for success remains simple: homemade food, familiar faces and a community that keeps coming back for more.
“For 20 years, our customers have supported us,” she said. “We couldn’t have reached this milestone without them, and we’re incredibly grateful they continue making Spinnaker part of their lives.”
