Gateway Cafe Rises From the Ashes, Rebuilt by a Community Determined To Bring It Home

If you drive down Gold Street in Wykoff most mornings, you’ll find a familiar sight that was sorely missed for more than a year. The coffee is pouring, the air is thick with the scent of breakfast, and the Gateway Cafe has reclaimed its rightful place as the heartbeat of the community.

Following the official reopening on May 1, co-owners Jennie Moreland, Leroy Ellis, and Mary Aaker are looking toward the future, though the past year was defined by a resilience that mirrored the town itself. The journey to reopen began after a devastating fire late on April 30, 2025. A neighbor noticed smoke and heard an explosion, alerted the fire department, and woke Moreland, who was living in an RV behind the cafe. Investigators later determined the fire was caused by the lithium battery in a laptop that failed while plugged in overnight. The resulting blaze left the building heavily damaged by smoke and soot, forcing a year-long closure.

Yet, the fire became a harsh reminder of how deeply the Gateway is woven into the fabric of Wykoff. “I came to feel like we were just the caretakers of something that was way bigger than ourselves,” Moreland reflected.

That sentiment became reality almost immediately as the community rallied. A fundraiser brought in nearly $20,000 to help replace kitchen equipment, but the true investment was the communal sweat equity poured into the rebuilding effort. Volunteers arrived with tools and determination, cleaning debris and salvaging what they could, many steadfastly refusing payment for their labor. Local resident Alan Duncan provided free storage space for new equipment throughout the construction process, a crucial contribution that helped keep the project on track.

Moreland managed the renovation personally, choosing to keep rebuilding dollars in the local economy rather than hiring out-of-state contractors. A local trio, affectionately dubbed the “geriatric crew,” took charge of the drywall, taping, and wallboard installation, their craftsmanship earning high praise from inspectors. Throughout the construction days, neighbors ensured the workers were well-fed, turning the work site into a truly communal project.

The result is a space that bridges the past and the future. An old wooden buffet, once obscured by layers of black paint, has been meticulously restored and now serves as the centerpiece for Sunday brunch. Original spinning counter stools were saved for future seating, and a custom photo mural of Wykoff’s history has become a favorite conversation piece for customers. “We’ve done everything we could think of that was feasible to keep the history,” Moreland said.

The response since reopening has been overwhelming. Mother’s Day saw 165 customers, a figure surpassed by Father’s Day, bolstered by a surge in takeout orders. The cafe now draws visitors from Rochester, Austin, and northern Iowa, while longtime local patrons have reclaimed their daily coffee rituals.

The Gateway is open Mondays and Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fridays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays for brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Looking ahead, the owners plan to expand both their catering and special events. Their next major event is an authentic German dinner during Wykoff Fall Fest on Saturday, September 26, beginning at 11 a.m. The menu will feature traditional dishes, including homemade spaetzle, prepared using techniques Moreland learned abroad.

For Ellis, the cafe’s value isn’t just in the meals it serves. “We want you to come here and laugh and look at the people,” he said, gesturing to the photo wall. “That’s building a community.” It’s a philosophy that continues to define the Gateway today, paired perfectly with their long-standing promise: “If you go away hungry, it’s your own fault.”