A new cafe called The Lantern Cafe officially opened this weekend in downtown Fort DeForest, attracting students, families, and local workers. The bridge is trying to increase capacity in town. The cafe focuses on producers who have music and creative work that is based on community.
City officials believe the cafe will help bring new life to the downtown area. According to a statement shared during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, The Latern Cafe represents the kind of small business growth that strengthens community connections and encourages local creativity. The cafe plans to host open mic nights, student art showcases, and weekend acoustic concerts throughout the year. Local high school student Jordan Lee said, I finally feel like there's a place nearby where friends can hang out after school without having to drive far.