LaCrosse Community Pride searches for Teapot proprietor

Bringing back the Teapot Café in LaCrosse is the latest cause for LaCrosse Community Pride, a nonprofit that formed after the town grocery store closed in 2009.

Due to failing health, long-time owner Cheri Garrett shut the doors on the west county eatery last month.

Carol Audett of Jasper Trucking is gathering information from interested potential operators for Community Pride. She reported the group has yet to choose an operator.

Since forming, Community Pride has attracted a store operator and is remodeling the market building it purchased. Crews are installing the flooring, and final equipment and stock will be added later in the month.

Wendy Holliday, who was selected by Community Pride to run the market, said the store should be open shortly after the first of the year.

The café is in part of the former LaCrosse State Bank building. Sterling Bank occupies the other part of the building after Community Pride bought the former home of the failed Bank of Whitman out of receivership from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Despite the closure of the cafe, local businesses invited Santa to come pass out candy canes and wishes. The jolly old elf in the red suit will show up at 10 a.m. LaCrosse businesses will give out muffins and juice to those who come to tell him their wishes.