Article by Chris Dees, Photos courtesy of Coffeeville Company – Brookfield, WI

During the expansion of railroads in the 1800s across the country, the town depot was considered one of the key social gathering places of its time. On July 24, 2023, the 1867 depot in the Milwaukee suburb of Brookfield, Wisconsin reclaimed that status as the restored depot reopened as The Coffeeville Company’s newest location. In November of 2021, the depot was moved 300 feet across the street from its original location on Brookfield Road and North Hills Drive between two railroad tracks. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation says for nearly a decade, the city of Brookfield worked to save the 1867 train depot. It is believed to be the city’s second oldest surviving structure.

After purchasing the depot from Kansas City Canadian Pacific Railway for $1, the city moved the depot to its current site to serve as a Waukesha County trailhead for the new Fox River Bicycle and Walking Trail, and to return it to its historic social status as a community gathering place with a privately-run café. “We are extremely lucky to come into 1800s train depot and do this again,” says Jack Kulwikowski, the founder and owner of Coffeeville Company. For the last two years, this has been a passion project for Kulwikowski. This is the second location for the coffee company that first opened in Jackson in a restored log home built in the 1800s. “Coffeeville Company was born to bring historical excitement and restoration to the community,” says Kulwikowski.

The depot has been beautifully restored, including the waiting room (now a dining area), mail sorting rack and ticket office which give the coffee shop a great historic feel. Outside, railfans can sit and watch the trains roll by along the CPKC mainline while enjoying breakfast, lunch or just a nice cup of Joe.