Community Builders -

Melodie Betts

By Tallitha Reese | Spring 2026 Inspire(d)

“Quirky and happy, that’s every day at The Lemon Door,” says Melodie Betts, owner of the eclectic coffee house located in Fennimore, Wisconsin, that offers fresh, fast fare, and elevated catering.

As an adult, Melodie lived primarily in Wisconsin, but moved to Montana, where she was born, to be close to relatives. She met and married her husband, but not long after, lost him to a mine accident. 

“It was time for a change,” says Melodie. “Moving back to Wisconsin, with the encouragement of friends, helped me decide this is where I needed to be. I looked all over the state for the right property that ticked all the boxes.”

She found what she was looking for in a building in Fennimore and made the purchase in 2017. Over the next two years, Melodie slowly worked to remodel both the upstairs living space and the lower-level shop, although she was unsure what would occupy that space.

Over time, the idea for a coffee shop formed. Melodie saw a need in the community, and, having worked in the service industry on and off since she was 14, she decided to give it a go.

“At the time, there was no coffee shop on a highway for over a 50-mile radius,” Melodie says. “No one doing fresh sandwiches or salads that you could build your own, with locally sourced items. I vowed not to duplicate what anyone else was doing in the area. I worked with so many wonderful people to get the doors open.”

The Lemon Door’s name was inspired by a randomly assigned password. / Photo courtesy Melodie Betts

The Lemon Door, located on Lincoln Avenue, opened to the public in June of 2019. True to its quirk, the business name was inspired by a randomly assigned Yahoo password from the 90s.

Customers at The Lemon Door walk in, grab a menu, and then circle items they’d like on their sandwiches or salads, with many fresh and from-scratch ingredients.

“That way they get exactly what they want, so when people ask if we have specials, I tell them everything is, because you make it!” says Melodie.

Much of Melodie’s inspiration for her space came from The General Store in Spring Green, one of her favorite places in Wisconsin. Open since 1976, The General Store is half cafe, half general store, with lunch served Thursday-Sunday, and breakfast on the weekends. Melodie has fond memories of visiting for breakfast in the 1990s.

“The Sunday State Journal would be scattered with everyone reading and exchanging sections, making comments on what we’d read. I loved it and that memory stuck with me,” Melodie says.

Melodie inherited an appreciation for all things food from her mother. Both her parents were born during the depression, and taught Melodie the basics early: Use everything, no wasting, and be creative. That creative, ingenious spirit shines through at The Lemon Door.

Iced coffee is popular (once the weather warms up.) / Photos courtesy Melodie Betts

“I wanted it to be eclectic, full of color, kid friendly, and welcoming,” says Melodie, who also set up a tourist information counter and rack in the shop to help promote the Driftless area, with fun The Lemon Door branded stickers as well. 

“There really isn’t anywhere to pick up information on the area. And every new person who comes in gets a sticker. If they are traveling, I give extra. Each year I give out 1000 stickers!”

The Lemon Door was met with an outpouring of community support when it opened in 2019. When COVID hit, Melodie, like everyone, was worried about the future. “I didn’t know what was going to happen, and the ugly crying of the day we closed had an uncertainty I’ve never felt before,” Melodie says.

But the community rallied. “People bought gift certificates, sent money, dropped off envelopes without names,” she says. “It was so unexpected, but they wanted to see me reopen.”

So The Lemon Door adopted an online ordering system, switched over from dishes to paper for curbside pickup, and got through a year in that manner. Melodie was grateful for the strong community ties of Fennimore.

“This community cares about each other without need for recognition,” Melodie says. “We reach out if someone is in need or has fallen on hard times and give what we can.”

Melodie also added another income source to get through those hard times then and in the future. She applied for grants, with the help of the local chamber and her bank, and was able to introduce a catering option.

Catering opened up new ways to serve the community through The Lemon Door’s offerings. / Photo courtesy Melodie Betts

“I picked the type of catering that wasn’t offered in the area and ran with it,” Melodie says. “At holidays I offer cheeseballs, grazing boxes, and dip trios. Lots of grazing trays, party carry-outs, and build your own sandwich set ups.”

Melodie says her favorite part of building this business has been the people she’s met and bonded with over the years, coming in day after day to partake in The Lemon Door’s welcoming space. She also says her two part-time employees are a huge part of that warm environment.

“I don’t like the word ‘boss’, I tell them, ‘We work together, we are co-workers,’” she says. “I can’t do it without them. I have the best people ever. If they’re happy, so are the customers.”

And happy people are at the heart of what Melodie has built. She wants the community – and the travelers who pass through – to experience all the quirky fun that’s to be had at The Lemon Door in Fennimore.  

Tallitha Reese


Tallitha Reese is a freelance writer and content manager based in Cashton, WI. She owns Words By Reese and you can find out more about her and her work at www.wordsbyreese.com.

    The Lemon Door serves breakfast & lunch Tues-Fri from 8am-2pm & Sat from 9am-1pm. You can also call 608-822-0002 or visit the-lemon-door.square.site to order.

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