About

Magpie’s story began in 1996, when two sisters had a dream of creating a cozy little café in downtown Decorah. Back then, it was just a small spot on Winnebago Street, a place where people gathered over steaming cups of coffee and plates of something delicious, made from scratch. I first stepped into that world as a high schooler—taking orders, making lattes, and unknowingly falling in love with a place that would shape my life in ways I never expected.

In 2009, my mom, Kathleen, took over Magpie, and together, we poured everything we had into it. We laughed, we cried, and—little did we know—we were building something truly special. When we outgrew our tiny home on Winnebago in 2016, we took a leap and moved to our new space on Water Street, where Magpie could continue to grow alongside the community we love.

For a little while, I stepped away—moving to Madison, WI, to manage for Colectivo Coffee. Working with them opened my eyes to the beauty and complexity of coffee. I trained with some of the best, learned the art of roasting, and discovered what it truly means to build a café that feels like home. I loved their coffee and their mission so much that when I returned to Decorah, I made the switch to Colectivo—and we’ve proudly served it ever since. But my heart? It always belonged to Magpie—and to Decorah.

So in 2018, I came back to where I was meant to be. I bought Magpie from my mom, ready to carry its legacy forward. And then, life tested us. A pandemic. A fire. Challenges at every turn. There were days it felt impossible. But this community? This town? We lifted each other up. With every hardship, we came back stronger, more determined, and more grateful for the people who make this place what it is.

Today, Magpie is more than just a café—it’s a home, a heartbeat, a gathering place for so many. We’ve grown our team, added new menu items that make our hearts (and bellies) full, and found ways to give back to the town that has given us so much. In 2022, life gave me my greatest gift—our daughter, born right here in the town I love, where I now get to raise her alongside my husband, Paul. You’ll probably see her around Magpie—she acts like she owns the place! Our future barista (or chef, baker... so many options here!) in training.

But Magpie isn’t just mine—it’s ours. It belongs to every person who has ever enjoyed a meal at our tables, shared a conversation over coffee, or found comfort in the familiar warmth of our space. Whether you’ve been coming here for years or you’re just stopping by, know this—you are always, always welcome.

Thank you for being part of our story. We can’t wait to be part of yours.

With love & gratitude,
Kelsey & The Magpie Team

Moving to a New Place

We moved to Decorah without knowing anyone. In January 2010, we took the chance and bought the Magpie Coffeehouse because it reminded me of some of my best memories from California.

Meeting New People

My favorite part about owning the Magpie is the beautiful people I get to meet. There is nothing like making a new friend over a cup of warm coffee and a fresh-baked muffin.

One of my favorite friends and customers, Sandy Schaeffer, always says, "Magpie is my home away from home."

Home Away from Home

That's the feeling we hope all our customers have when they visit Magpie Coffeehouse. A magpie is a collector of things. I think of our Magpie as a collector of friends.

Magpie has helped us find a home and a family here in Decorah.