MILWAUKEE — Local businesses are doing their best to survive during a pandemic that has upended lives.
Juliet Popovic is one of the coffee-loving owners of Sprocket Cafe in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood.
For three years, they have been serving up locally roasted coffee, lattes, bagels, and sandwiches.
Their customers are Juliet's favorite part of the business. These days the cafe is quiet, and it can be pretty empty.
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"I kind of miss the chatter in here. I really miss the chatter in here," said Juliet.
Like countless shops, Sprocket Cafe had to adapt to the times.
"We're open for a shorter period during the day. Our baristas are still working but less hours," said Juliet.
The cafe offers its full menu through curbside service and delivery. They started marking safe areas to stand and limiting customers in the shop.
Customers like Kat Schroeder continue to show up and show their support.
"This is a really nice little coffee joint, and we have always had incredible service and drinks," said Kat.
Sprocket Cafe fills more than your stomach. Juliet started a little free library that blended into the cafe. When she put out a call for donations, the books came pouring in.
With kids at home, that service has picked up in recent weeks.
"Grab a couple of books. I wipe them down the best I can, but yeah, we got an overload of books. I had nowhere to put them," said Juliet.
With uncertainty ahead, Juliet is grateful for the community that helps keep them afloat.
Sprocket Cafe is open from 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. daily.