Windsor Lake Coffee is charming and abuzz with energy, complete with Harry Potter-themed lattes and Little Man Ice Cream
Windsor Lake Coffee draws all age for breakfast, lunch, coffee, or a not-to-miss indulgence — such as a milkshake made with little Man Ice Cream. Photo by Emily Kemme.
By Emily Kemme
The best coffee shops in the world are the ones that give you a buzz, and not just the caffeine kind. Windsor Lake Coffee in downtown Windsor falls squarely into this category. Chock full of gift ideas to peruse after placing an order for breakfast, lunch, coffee, or a not-to-miss indulgence — a milkshake made with Little Man Ice Cream — it’s easy to get caught up in the swirl of energy.
The shop is a draw for all ages. Expect to see couples, friends, grandmas entertaining the grandkids for a morning out, moms and kiddos in tow with a promise of ice cream, and everyone else in between.
There’s also Ena, a black draped skeleton who, perched on a vintage Dolly Madison soda shop stool, leans on the soda fountain counter in a manner suggesting that she’s seen everything. It’s all in the body language. Owner Claire Brogden said Ena is a recent addition brought in by one of her employees.
Ena, a black draped skeleton, is a new addition to the shop. She leans on the soda fountain counter in a manner suggesting that she’s seen everything. Photo by Emily Kemme.
For the moment, Ena’s smooth skull sports a headband adorned with two sparkly red stars. Ena’s attire will change to fit with the shop’s Harry Potter theme from September through December. During those months, the menu adds Butterbeer, Golden Snitch lattes with pumpkin syrup made from real pumpkins, and a Polyjuice Potion color-changing iced tea lemonade with edible glitter.
Brogden seems to be a combination of planning ahead and spur-of-the-moment-let’s-see-how-it-rolls sort of person. The mix works for her. The coffee shop opened in December 2018 and is running hot, even in the midst of a pandemic.
Brogden said Windsor Lake Coffee happened fast. She was walking past the building on a Saturday night in mid-September 2018 when she noticed the empty building on the corner of Main and 5th Street. In addition to the prime location, she thought the walk-up ice cream window on the building’s west side was pretty sweet, too.
After visiting with the owner of Memory Lane Antiques next door to get the details, within days she had an appointment to check out the space. Soon after, Brogden, the manager of Starry Night Espresso Cafe in downtown Fort Collins, found herself the owner of an ice cream, sandwich and coffee shop.
Her vision was to have a community-oriented space, with big tables and lots of different ice cream toppings and flavors. She loves it when townies give input and ask her to bring in a favorite flavor.
The menu is mostly healthy, with the possible exception of the Eggo waffle sandwich with eggs and bacon, served with a side of maple syrup. But how often do you get the whole shebang? Photo by Emily Kemme.
The walls and shelves are bursting with local artisans’ work, all available for purchase.
The vibe itself would probably be enough — how often do you find authentic Dolly Madison soda shop paraphernalia in ice cream shops these days? That find is thanks to a previous iteration of the shop, whose owner installed the fountain, bar top and stools from a Denver favorite, in business from 1956-2002.
But the food is equal to the presentation. Brogden said popular menu items are the Swedish almond brownies that have the classic brownie texture but add a crunch of almonds on top, and the brie apple melt.
“It’s a fancy, adult grilled cheese that’s vegetarian with thick cut whole wheat bread, havarti and brie cheeses, Granny Smith apple slices and homemade cranberry compote.”
There’s also chicken salad, which I have to try whenever I happen upon it. Windsor Lake’s version is made with an extra curry kick and more of those Granny Smith apples. Lightly dressed with Greek yogurt, it’s fresh and crunchy. That’s typical of the menu, except for the Eggo waffle sandwich with eggs and bacon. Served with a side of maple syrup, it’s hard to pass up. But how often do you get the whole shebang?
Windsor Lake Coffee is one of two Northern Colorado spots authorized to sell a Denver favorite, Little Man Ice Cream. Shown are Salted Oreo and Lake Monster, which is a custom flavor. Photo by Emily Kemme.
If you’re worried that the food choices are too healthy, remember that this is also an ice cream shop — one of only two serving Little Man Ice Cream in northern Colorado.
Brogden said the family-owned company had just opened Old Town Churn in Fort Collins when she emailed to ask if they would approve her shop as a vendor. The Denver favorite turned out to be awesome to work with, Brogden said. She even ended up with two custom flavors: Lake Monster (matcha green tea ice cream with raspberry jam swirl and dark chocolate chips), a flavor that seems mandatory for an ice cream shop edging Windsor Lake, and Cotton Candy Swirl. That one is actually not too sweet, she said, although it has mini marshmallows swirled into it.
After devouring my chicken sandwich and sucking down the Lake Monster shake (herbal, floral and oh-so-perfect), I didn’t have room for coffee. That will have to wait until the next visit.
To visit Windsor Lake Coffee
Where: 430 Main St. in Windsor
Hours: Sunday - Wednesday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Thursday - Saturday 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Contact: (970) 445-4124 | info@windsorlakecoffee.com
What’s on the menu: Breakfast and lunch items, pastries and baked goods, espresso, coffee, tea, sodas, smoothies, milkshakes, ice cream, pre-order items with 24-hour advance notice (quiche, French toast bakes, bread loaves and more)