Middleton is a community that chooses local. Residents shop, eat and gather close to home, and that steady support makes the city a place new businesses want to open. We're thankful for two new arrivals and those who have already made them feel at home.
Coffee4All
Priscah Norton’s story is one of resilience. She first opened Coffee4All in Stoughton in 2022 after pandemic delays, and then weathered months of road construction that cut off access to her shop. A planned move to Middleton's Aviary food marketplace fell through, leaving her nearly two years without a business. With help from friends and family, she reopened June 29 in the former Pizza Hut on University Avenue. Her message to others: "Don't give up." Her coffee is roasted the day it's ordered, and she recommends first-timers try the Kenyan house coffee. Pastries pair American favorites with Kenyan counterparts like mandazi and half cakes, and the menu includes wraps and mildly spiced Swahili chicken and beef inspired by her hometown of Mombasa.
Altim Grill and Bakery
Natalia and Seymour introduced Middleton to their cooking through catering, and as demand grew, they opened Altim Grill and Bakery, the first Azerbaijani bakery in Wisconsin. Two months in they're serving regulars from Middleton and Madison alongside customers who drive in from Chicago and Minneapolis.
Azerbaijani food centers on meats, vegetables, herbs and homemade breads, and the owners recommend starting with Azerbaijani baklava, then a shawarma or doner on fresh pita. For dessert, try honey cake or Napoleon, two Eastern European cakes that are hard to find elsewhere. Kebabs, soups, salads and handmade New York-style pizza round out the menu.
Two new places to stay local this season, run by owners grateful Middleton made room for them.