Savoring the Sweet Life: Inside Buchanan’s Café Italiano

Savoring the Sweet Life: Inside Buchanan’s Café Italiano

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.

More Than a Café

Beyond the menu, Café Italiano’s soul lies in its connection to the community. Thomas, lovingly dubbed “Mr. Ice Cream” by the kids, personifies the café’s welcoming spirit. His favorite part about café ownership is getting to know the people of Buchanan. Joe and Thomas’s involvement extends far beyond the café’s walls. They’ve become fixtures at local events with their ice cream cart, and they sponsor everything from library events and sports teams to the local food pantry. Through their passion for their community, they’ve woven Café Italiano into the fabric of Buchanan, MI.

A Recipe for Community

Café Italiano at the Sweet Shop stands as a vibrant testament to Buchanan’s spirit of resilience, togetherness, and warmth. Joe and Thomas have revived a landmark, creating a space where the past and present combine in a dynamic community focal point. Joe’s recipe for success is to “go for the extraordinary because nobody’s interested in the ordinary,” and that’s exactly what they’ve done with Café Italiano. Both Joe and Thomas foster a sense of belonging and gathering, honoring the town’s history while embracing its future.

Discover Café Italiano

For those looking to experience this unique blend of history, community, and Italian cuisine, Café Italiano at the Sweet Shop is located at 205 E Front St, Buchanan, MI. They are open Tuesday through Sunday, with special offerings like authentic Italian pasta on Fridays and every other Sunday. To stay updated on their offerings and events, follow them at www.facebook.com/BuchananSweetShop.

Photography by Marie June Photography & The Sweet Shop Cafe Italiano.