At Fat Cat Coffee Works, the aroma of fresh coffee and something baking in the oven is only part of the attraction. For nearly two decades, the New Glarus business has been a place to meet an old friend, catch up with a neighbor, linger over breakfast or simply feel at home.

Its story is also one of a family finding its place in the community. Anne and John Miller opened Fat Cat in 2007, beginning with a small rented portion of an old mill building at 606 Railroad St. John handled the coffee and espresso, while Anne baked muffins and cookies. There was no full-service kitchen, no large staff and none of the expansive menu customers know today.

Over time, the Millers purchased the building, knocked down a wall, installed a commercial kitchen and expanded into the entire space. Today, the cafe serves breakfast and lunch, bakes its own pastries and desserts, and employs as many as 15 people during the busy summer season. The historic building, close to the Sugar River State Trail, has become part of its identity.

For general manager Ally Sayre, the business is especially personal. She grew up in New Glarus, graduated from New Glarus High School in 2009 and was a teenager when her mother and stepfather opened the shop. What began as helping the family business eventually became her calling.