Sweet Beginnings

In the heart of Buchanan, MI, Café Italiano at the Sweet Shop stands as a testament to transformation and tradition. Joe Paolucci and Thomas Hitchcock have reimagined a local landmark that began as a sweet shop in 1947. When these Chicago attorneys began renovating buildings in 2006, they never dreamed they would one day run a successful restaurant. Café Italiano opened in November 2021, bringing authentic Italian flavors to the community. Today, they welcome guests into a dining experience that blends the town’s rich heritage with the vibrant tastes of Italy.

Step Into a Slice of History

Walking into Café Italiano is like stepping back in time, but with a twist. The first thing you’ll notice is the 15-foot art deco ceiling that was concealed for decades. You hear the gentle pour of Italian sodas from the vintage 1930s soda fountain, and the aroma of basil and fresh tomato sauce fills the air. Café Italiano is no ordinary soda shop. In every nook of this restaurant, you can feel the community’s pulse. Children play with toy ice cream sets while enjoying floats, longtime residents share stories over coffee, and local workers pause for a hearty meatball sandwich. Joe and Thomas have preserved the essence of Buchanan’s landmark sweet shop while layering in their love for Italian cuisine.

A Flavorful Journey

My visit offered a firsthand taste of what makes Café Italiano integral to Buchanan’s charm. I felt right at home chatting with Joe and Thomas while sipping cherry phosphate soda. I got a true sense of how much passion went into bringing their vision to life.  Inspired by his Italian heritage, Joe created a menu that brings authentic Italian cuisine to this small town. The menu is filled with personal pizzas, toasted and cold subs, soups, and salads.  They even offer traditional pasta dishes on Fridays and every other Sunday.  I opted for a pizza, and I was not disappointed. The crust was perfectly crispy, the marinated mushrooms were meaty and flavorful, and the fresh mozzarella created the quintessential cheese pull that I look for in pizza.  Joe and Thomas go out of their way to source the freshest ingredients from local farms and import items like pasta, pizza crust, and cannoli shells directly from Italy.  They show their sweet side with gourmet pastries and baked goods, ice cream, gelato, and sorbet. Of course, I ordered cannoli to go, and it was wrapped in vintage Italian newspaper for an extra touch of charm.  This was an unforgettable dining experience, and I intend to come back with my family in tow.