Johanna’s Cafe on Milwaukee’s south side is celebrating five years in business since expanding from a family’s home.
“The day of my grand opening, I actually parked right here, and I looked across the street, and I just couldn’t hold my tears,” Johanna Ortiz told TMJ4 News.
Ortiz has poured her heart into the cafe bearing her name at South 11th Street and Madison Street.
Before opening the cafe with her husband, Ortiz made cakes for families by request. The demand grew, and soon customers encouraged her to open her own business.
Watch: Johanna’s Cafe celebrates five years on Milwaukee’s south side
Johanna’s Cafe celebrates five years on Milwaukee’s south side
“It has not felt like five years. It went fast. We learned a lot. We grew a lot,” Ortiz explained. “I totally underestimated how big this was compared to our home business.”
Ortiz grew up in the same neighborhood, three blocks away. She remembers walking by the building often during trips to a friend’s house.
“I didn’t even look at this building. This used to be a tavern. I was a child; I never even noticed it,” Ortiz recalled.