Contributor: Jamie Richardson
We RARELY encourage our readers to watch a video before reading our wonderful words about a local establishment but consider this virtual tour our way of “setting the table” for this feature. Just be sure to come back to read the rest of the article… 😊
Located in the restored historic Lentz building in the quaint town of Mount Pleasant, Café Lentz greets customers with a warm and inviting atmosphere whether dining inside on the comfy furniture or outside on their double-decker patio.
Their menu features something for everyone for any meal of the day:
☕ Locally roasted coffee and freshly made pastries for breakfast
🥙 Light lunch items including their signature Lentz biscuits, sandwiches, soup, salads, wraps, and flatbreads
But what really makes this place unique (and this corner of downtown Mount Pleasant for that matter) is how they partner with their neighbors. You can order takeout from 73 & Main with delivery right to your cozy seat at the café, and they are literally connected with an adorable barn door to the Mount Pleasant Bakery 🧁 where you can grab a dessert to pair with your wine.
Café Lentz is owned by the same group as 73 & Main and the idea for the cafe came following the opening of the neighboring restaurant. Jodi Stracham, General Manager of 73 & Main, told us they chose Mount Pleasant for both the restaurant and the cafe because of its small-town charm as well as its relationship with the community.
- “We love being involved and helping the community prosper, and we’re looking forward to the future of Mount Pleasant as well as our future within it.”
Café Lentz first opened in 2019, and they were just starting to get comfortable with the new venture when the pandemic hit. COVID gave them the chance to upgrade the space and give Café Lentz a new look.
- They decided to shut down for a few months and revamp the cafe into what it is today…a cozy cafe, in a quaint town, with a warm and inviting atmosphere. It’s just a great place to relax and unwind.
Part of the update was to hire local artist Caswell Munjas, owner of Cicada Studios, to design and paint the mural on the wall which features oversized foliage and bella donna flowers swathed in electric blue. “We knew that we wanted the cafe to have a very artsy vibe and Caswell was able to tie all of our ideas together with this beautiful piece,” said Jodi.
📸 🎨 You HAVE TO visit their website to see the before and after pictures, as well as the process, to appreciate what a profound difference the often-photographed mural has made to the space.
Double the Outdoor Pleasure!
“The outdoor covered patio was my first attraction as they are dog friendly. However, their customer service is what continues to bring me back. The food is also very good. I’ve never been disappointed… Freshly brewed beer from Old Well Brewery across the street makes this place even more inviting. About as close to perfect as you can find anywhere in the region!” John S.
During our lunchtime visit, we grabbed two comfy chairs inside, but situated in the large front window of the cafe, and ordered the Main Street Sliders, served on soft rolls with caramelized onions and smoked gouda, with a side of the yummy pasta salad. We ate, had a beer and a glass of wine, talked, and even attempted a game of dominos. It was the perfect Saturday afternoon.
Connecting with Customers and Community
In order to remain a local “must visit” location, they welcome feedback from their guests. They want to be able to offer new options that the customers want to see. In addition to guest feedback, they are always researching and trying out new menu items that they feel would make good additions to the cafe. Jodi says, “Our goal for Café Lentz is to remain a versatile place that offers multiple options to our guests during their visits.”
👮 The café and bakery are co-hosting Coffee with a Cop Friday, March 3rd. It’s a pop-in event, so the public is invited to stop by with friends and family anytime between 2pm and 4pm.
- This an opportunity to mingle with Cabarrus County deputies over a cup of coffee and pastries! The mission of Coffee with a Cop is to break down the barriers between deputies and the citizens they serve by allowing opportunities to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know the deputies in your community.
Follow Café Lenz on Facebook and Instagram and be sure to swing by for a visit soon!
Planning to visit? Tell ’em Cabarrus Weekly sent ya!
