The Pink Cup Coffee Shop owner, Jenny Lutteke, stands by one of the sitting areas available to her customers when they stop in for a beverage. Lutteke also has a place where people can work on jigsaw puzzles and other private areas for groups or organizations who wish to hold their meetings at the Pink Cup.

Jenny Lutteke had a couple of goals when she opened the Pink Cup Coffee Shop in Wells during the summer of 2024.

“I wanted to operate a business that would give me more stable hours,” Lutteke says. “I previously owned the Pink Petals Flower Shop and the hours were not regular operating that business.”

The Pink Cup Coffee Shop is open Tuesday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. until noon.

“Those hours seem to fit the town’s schedule,” Lutteke comments. “And a half hour to an hour after closing time I know I can turn the key in the door and lock up and go home.”

Lutteke’s other goal was to provide a place where people could linger and visit – and want to come back again.

Lutteke’s coffee shop, which at one time was a furniture store, helps her customers relax in a couple of ways.

“The shop has very high ceilings which is a very nice feature,” Lutteke says. “Many of the people who frequent the shop say it feels welcoming. I think it has the feel of a vintage farmhouse. It is inviting just like grandma’s house.”

According to Lutteke, a typical day will see the highest traffic right away in the morning.

“The people going to work will stop in to get their coffee,” she comments. “That is usually between 7-9 a.m. The ones who come after 9 a.m. usually stay longer.”

Lutteke has extra help during those busy hours. After the morning rush slows down, she is able to manage the shop by herself.

There are a variety of drinks to choose from at the Pink Cup Coffee Shop. In addition to coffee, Lutteke offers espressos and non-coffee drinks like chai tea.

“Many of the young kids like the Pink Refresher,” she notes. “It is made with coconut milk and strawberry flavoring. The current most popular coffee drink is the iced caramel macchiato.”

Drinks are not the only thing Lutteke has to offer her customers.

“We have muffins and rolls that we get from Susan at the Wells Bake Shop which we usually sell out. Dawn at Jake’s Pizza makes pies – strawberry rhubarb is the most popular – and bars for us,” Lutteke shares. “We also have ice cream and ice cream treats which are really popular during the summer.”

While enjoying their beverage at the coffee shop, customers can relax on comfortable sofas, sit at a dining table and play cards or games, work on a jigsaw puzzle or just hang out and visit with their friends.

“We have a number of groups that meet here,” Lutteke explains. “There is a book club, a men’s group, a coffee group and a Bible study group along with other groups that sometimes use one of our rooms in back to hold a meeting.”

Lutteke wasn’t always a business woman.

“I have had some other jobs,” she says. “But I spent most of my time being a stay at home mom to four children.”

That is something she says she has enjoyed.

“I have been able to work with all of my children and my daughter-in-law. They have all helped at one time,” Lutteke says with a smile. “Even my husband, Chris, has helped out by washing floors. It is nice to have family who are willing to help out.”

Visitors to the shop on some Saturdays may also be lucky enough to enjoy some musical entertainment while sipping their freshly brewed beverage.

“Sheila Rame has played her harp, which is just beautiful,” Lutteke comments. “We have also had singers and guitar players provide music on some Saturdays.”

Although Lutteke stays busy taking care of her customers, she does find time to enjoy her own favorite drink, which currently is a chocolate hazelnut coffee with heavy cream and oat milk.

“I am hoping to expand the drink menu we offer,” she states. “I would like to offer more food options in the future and host more groups or events.”

As she draws closer to the second anniversary of her coffee shop which she will celebrate in August, Lutteke is very happy doing what she is doing.

“I like people. I like being open for the public and the people of Wells have been so supportive,” Lutteke says. “I get to see different people every day. I get to watch families come in and hang out together and that brings me a lot of joy.”