Coffee Impacts Community

“We chose Kankakee because it is home to us.”

Coming from different cultures with different perspectives, husband and wife, Stefan and Ari Frunze, partnered to create something special in Downtown Kankakee. Stefan, who grew up in Moldova and Ari, who lived abroad in Italy, came together to connect their passions of coffee and a slow paced life to create Stefari Café.

“When Stefan and I met, we always talked about our hopes and dreams as a couple.”

Upon moving back to Kankakee County, the couple realized the potential of the city and the different opportunities they had to give life to their hopes and dreams that would in turn, positively impact the community they call home.

“A place like this was needed here,” explains Ari.

Stefan and Ari Frunze knew that they wanted to bring a part of a European lifestyle back home to Kankakee. Growing up and studying abroad in Europe, instilled something in the Frunzes that many people back in America don’t have; an appreciation for a relaxed, slower-paced life.

Stefari has created a space in Downtown Kankakee to do just that.

On a daily basis, you can see people in and out of the cafe grabbing a pick-me-up to go lunch or coffee.

What is even more noticable is the steady buzz of conversations in the bright, open space; community business-leaders discussing new innovations, students collaborating and expanding their horizons, friendships deepening, people fostering genuine connections with one another.

Stefari has made great waves in the Kankakee community through creating a space for community to grow, for people to connect with each other, and to inspire a passion for improving the surrounding area.

Stefari owners have seen other creators and community members encouraged to follow their passions. Stefari collaborates with other small, local business in the area, only increasing the potential for growth within the community. Businesses that collaborate together create a ripple effect of uplifting and moving forward. Stefari Café has seen this first hand from partnering with multiple community members like Two Whisks Bakery, and Connect Roasters.

What does this mean for Kankakee? Opening the doors to new spaces, new ideas, and new collaborations is just the beginning for Kankakee. The opening of something new and out of the ordinary, like Stefari in Kankakee, is what the community needed in moving forward toward revitizations and improvements both socially and economically.

It’s an exciting time to see what will evolve within the next years, but it can’t happen without the community.

When you visit Stefari, think about where your money is going…not only will you be purchasing some of the best coffee in the area, but your money will pour into a small business whose efforts seek to help a developing downtown.

Visit Stefari today and tell us your favorite drink in the comments!

Our favorite Stefari drinks…

Sarai – Lavender Oat Milk Latte

Christina – Caramel Oat Milk Latte

Matt – Black Coffee

Helen – Almond Vanilla Milk Latte

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