New Coffee Shop Warms Up Downtown Lake Tomahawk This Winter

When the thermometer dips below freezing and the lakes ice over, there’s nothing quite like wrapping your hands around a steaming cup of coffee. This winter, Lake Tomahawk residents have a brand-new spot to do just that — and the community couldn’t be more excited about it.

The Lake House Coffee opened its doors on December 8th in downtown Lake Tomahawk, right next to the local meat market. Run by the Tucci family, who also operate Northern Grounds Coffee Shop in Rhinelander, this cozy new addition is already becoming a gathering place where neighbors can shake off the cold and catch up over quality drinks.

A Family Affair Brewing Success in Lake Tomahawk

Craig and Jen Tucci know their way around a good cup of coffee. After building Northern Grounds into a Rhinelander favorite, they saw an opportunity to bring that same warmth and expertise to Lake Tomahawk when a storefront became available last fall. What makes this venture special is that their daughter, Mackenzie Tucci, has taken the reins as manager, bringing fresh energy and a genuine connection to the community.

“The Lake Tom community has been super great,” Mackenzie shared shortly after opening. “Everyone has been so friendly and so warm and welcoming, and we’re just so grateful that we opened up in a community that is so involved in the businesses.”

That kind of multigenerational, family-operated business is exactly what keeps Northwoods communities thriving. It’s not just about serving drinks — it’s about investing in the fabric of small-town life and creating spaces where people genuinely want to spend time.

More Than Just Coffee: What’s on the Menu

The Lake House isn’t your one-note coffee shop. Sure, they’ve got all the specialty coffee drinks you’d expect — hot, iced, and even frozen options for those warmer winter afternoons when the sun bounces off the snow. But they’ve also embraced the growing trend of energy drinks by offering Lotus specialty beverages, perfect for folks who need a morning boost but aren’t coffee drinkers.

The shop partners with Butcher Shop Bake Company in Rhinelander for fresh bakery items, so you can pair your latte with something sweet straight from a local oven. Beyond food and drink, The Lake House also stocks clothing items and souvenirs — a smart move in a region that sees its share of tourists heading up for fishing, snowmobiling, and lakeside relaxation.

Open seven days a week, the shop fits perfectly into the rhythm of Lake Tomahawk life, whether you’re stopping by before hitting the ice for some fishing or warming up after a morning snowshoe through the woods.

Why Downtown Lake Tomahawk Needed This

Lake Tomahawk, like many small Northwoods communities, thrives on local businesses that serve as more than just retail spaces — they’re community hubs. The village, nestled in Oneida County’s lake-dotted landscape, has long been a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. From the historic log structures dating back to the 1920s logging era to modern-day bass fishing tournaments on nearby Tomahawk Lake, this area knows how to honor its past while embracing the present.

Adding a quality coffee shop to downtown creates a new anchor point for locals and visitors alike. It’s a place to meet before heading out on the trails, a warm refuge after shoveling the driveway, or simply a spot to linger over the local paper. The location next to the meat market is strategic, too — it encourages foot traffic between businesses and strengthens the downtown core.

In rural communities where every storefront matters, The Lake House fills a genuine need. It diversifies what Lake Tomahawk offers and gives residents one more reason to shop local rather than drive to larger towns for their daily rituals.

Community Support Makes All the Difference

Perhaps the most heartening part of The Lake House story is how eagerly the community has rallied around it. Mackenzie Tucci emphasized multiple times how friendly and involved everyone has been since opening day. That kind of support isn’t automatic — it’s earned through genuine connection and quality service, but it also reflects the values of Northwoods communities.

Up here, we understand that supporting local businesses means supporting our neighbors, keeping money circulating in the community, and preserving the character that makes places like Lake Tomahawk special. When a family takes the risk of opening a new venture, showing up with your wallet and your enthusiasm makes a real difference in whether that business survives its crucial first year.

The quick embrace of The Lake House suggests Lake Tomahawk residents recognize what they’ve gained — not just another place to grab caffeine, but a new gathering spot that adds to the community’s vitality.

Looking Ahead: A Warm Spot in Every Season

While The Lake House opened during the heart of winter — arguably the perfect timing for a hot beverage spot — its real test will be sustaining momentum through all four seasons. The Northwoods experiences dramatic shifts from snowmobile season to fishing opener to fall colors, and successful businesses learn to adapt their offerings and atmosphere accordingly.

The Tucci family’s experience running Northern Grounds gives them a blueprint for navigating those seasonal rhythms. Their decision to include frozen drinks and energy options shows they’re already thinking beyond the winter months. And with Lake Tomahawk’s steady stream of tourists drawn by the region’s pristine waters and outdoor recreation, The Lake House has plenty of opportunities to become a year-round destination.

For locals, having a consistent, quality coffee shop open seven days a week means one less reason to make the drive to larger towns. For visitors, it’s one more reason to explore downtown Lake Tomahawk beyond the boat launch. That’s exactly the kind of win-win that strengthens Northwoods communities, one cup at a time.