Located in Twin Lakes, a village in the western part of Kenosha County, Cup O' Joe Coffeehouse offers more than just great coffee – it’s a vibrant community hub with a Friends-themed twist. Owned by Dena Prestininzi and Kim Hill, this cozy café boasts a Warner Bros. replica of the iconic Orange Couch from the television show Friends, attracting visitors from near and far. From its humble beginnings as a living-room-style café to becoming a must-visit destination, Dena shares the remarkable journey of creating a space where nostalgia, creativity, and community come together.
shown: Dena and Kim
Visit Kenosha: What inspired the creation of Cup O’ Joe, and why did you choose Twin Lakes as its location?
Dena: We moved here from Escondido, CA, in late 2018. I had been a Realtor in San Diego and immediately got my Wisconsin Real Estate License, but I quickly realized I didn’t know anyone in the area. I thought opening a coffeehouse would be a great way to meet people while growing my real estate business. Coming from a family with restaurant experience in California – and being a former professional singer – I combined those two aspects of my life and envisioned a welcoming space for the community that wasn’t a bar. I never imagined it would grow into the destination it’s become today.
Visit Kenosha: The café started as a living room-style concept. How did it evolve into a Friends-themed coffeehouse?
Dena: We initially created a Facebook page to gauge community interest in a café. My vision was a cozy, homey vibe with couches, kitchen tables, and black-and-white family photos on the walls – like hanging out at a friend’s house. My dad, Joe, was an amazing cook and the life of every party, so we named the café after him.
While sourcing furniture, we found an antique orange loveseat and joked on Facebook that we had our very own "Orange Couch," complete with Friends hashtags. Unexpectedly, that post gained a lot of attention, and soon, people were calling us a Friends-themed coffeehouse. The publicity snowballed, with articles appearing everywhere from Milwaukee to Minnesota.
A week later, Marcus Theatres called, offering a Warner Bros. replica Orange Couch set from the Friends 25th Anniversary events to support Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. They needed $7,500, which was out of our budget, but we launched a GoFundMe and raised the funds in just two days, eventually bringing in nearly $12,000. The set included the couch, rug, table, and a backdrop. After that, we knew we had to fully embrace the Friends theme, with every detail designed to delight fans.
Visit Kenosha: What do visitors enjoy most about their time at Cup O’ Joe, besides the couch?
Dena: The food, the drinks, the welcoming “at home” vibe, and the quirky décor! For Friends fans, the experience is especially magical, but even for those who’ve never seen the show, it feels like a charming, family-owned café with a unique personality.
Visit Kenosha: How has the Twin Lakes community supported your business since its opening?
Dena: The support has been incredible, especially since we opened just three weeks before COVID hit. Despite the challenges, the community rallied around us. When we moved to our new location, customers volunteered to help – bringing trucks, trailers, and even smart cars to move furniture and equipment. The fire department and other local business owners pitched in, too. It was truly heartwarming.
Visit Kenosha: Can you share more about the international attention your café has received?
Dena: We initially thought it would be fun to have a U.S. map for visitors to pin their hometowns, but within our first week, we realized we needed a globe! Our first international visitor came from South Africa and marked his country on the map. Since then, visitors from around the world have drawn their countries and pinned them. It’s amazing to see where everyone has traveled from to experience the Orange Couch.
Visit Kenosha: The Orange Couch has become a centerpiece of your café. What does it mean to you personally, and how has it enhanced your guests’ experiences?
Dena: The Orange Couch feels like a gift. It came at the perfect time, giving people a reason to visit even during COVID. For Friends fans, it’s iconic – some reenact scenes or take special photos. It’s been the backdrop for proposals, baby announcements, prom pictures, and more. Watching people light up when they see it is pure joy.
Visit Kenosha: Your menu offers a variety of options, including a full bar, vegan items, and unique foods like avocado toast. What inspired these choices?
Dena: We wanted to offer something different in town, especially for those with dietary restrictions. Our bagels come from New York, and we have a wide range of breakfast sandwiches, homemade soups, and weekly specials.
Visit Kenosha: You also host Friends-themed events, Meat Bingo, Bunco, and private parties. How do these contribute to your café’s atmosphere?
Dena: Events keep things lively and bring the community together. While we’ve had Friends-themed parties and watch events, most of our events, like Meat Bingo and Bunco, are just about having fun. Our café also transforms into a venue for private after-hours parties.
Visit Kenosha: Could you tell us about the charitable initiatives tied to couch reservations?
Dena: All net proceeds from Orange Couch reservations are donated to local charities. We rotate the organizations we support, ensuring we’re giving back to the community that’s given us so much.
Visit Kenosha: What challenges have you faced running such a unique concept in a small town?
Dena: One of the biggest challenges is spreading the word. Even in a town of fewer than 7,000 people, we still meet locals who had no idea we existed. Running a café requires creativity, long hours, and constant adaptation, but we’re determined to keep going and make Cup O’ Joe a staple in Twin Lakes.
Visit Kenosha: What lessons have you learned during those early, uncertain days?
Dena: Flexibility is key. Running a café is a constant guessing game, but we’ve learned that keeping things simple often works best. The support and feedback from our customers have been invaluable.
Visit Kenosha: What are your long-term goals for Cup O’ Joe?
Dena: We’re taking things day by day but are committed to evolving and keeping our customers excited.
Visit Kenosha: Are there any upcoming events or changes you’d like to share?
Dena: We’re starting monthly Bunco games in 2025, continuing Meat Bingo, and booking private after-hours parties. If anyone’s interested, they can contact us!
Visit Kenosha: What does running Cup O’ Joe mean to you personally?
Dena: Cup O’ Joe started as a way to meet people, but it’s become so much more. It belongs to this community, and the connections we’ve made here have been life changing.
Visit Kenosha: If you could describe your business in one sentence to someone unfamiliar with it, what would you say?
Dena: It’s a Friends-themed coffeehouse with a Warner Bros. replica Orange Couch, great drinks, amazing food, and good people.
Visit Kenosha: Which episode of Friends is your favorite?
Dena: That’s a tough one, but I’d say “The One Where Joey Learns French.” We even named our dark roast blend “Je M’appelle DARK” after that episode.
Gather your friends and visit Cup O' Joe Coffeehouse!
Cup O' Joe Coffeehouse
406 North Lake Avenue
Twin Lakes, WI 53181
(262) 448-1850