Racine, WI – Lisa Ramirez opened Blueberry Hilltop Cafe on October 2023 with the goal of providing home-cooked meals in a family-friendly atmosphere.
Prior to opening Blueberry Hilltop Cafe, Lisa and her husband, Juan Mendez, owned a local cafe in Racine County from 2011 to 2018. After being away from the industry for several years, Lisa and Juan decided to re-enter the restaurant scene, focusing on affordability, excellent service, and high-quality food.
To help support this new business endeavor, Lisa used the Racine County Matching Grant Program (MGP) to help pay for training and marketing expenses needed to help make Blueberry Hilltop Cafe a success. Lisa contacted the Racine County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC) who administers the grant program and was approved for a $5,000 grant.
The Matching Grant Program provides invaluable support, enabling us to grow the business. It serves as a significant stepping stone in nurturing my dedication to the restaurant industry, my community, and the well-being of my family.
The name, Blueberry Hilltop Cafe, reflects the slight hilltop the cafe sits upon and Lisa and Juan’s commitment to blueberry-themed dish offerings. Their intention with the Blueberry Hilltop Cafe is to create a warm, inviting environment where patrons can enjoy memorable meals like the French Toast Churro or one of their signature burgers. On Fridays, stop in to enjoy their famous fish fry.
Blueberry Hilltop Cafe is located at 3429 Spring Street in Racine and operates daily from 6 am to 3 pm.
The MGP can be utilized for consulting, training, and marketing purposes. The program offers reimbursement for up to 50% of eligible costs, with a maximum limit of $5,000 per applicant. Eligible applicant businesses include women-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, as well as manufacturers with less than 200 employees.
For more information, please visit RCEDC.org/mgp or contact Andrea Safedis at andrea@rcedc.org.
