Rise and Shine Cafe, a popular brunch spot located in Wales, is preparing to permanently close Sunday, October 19.
Two weeks ago, in an announcement post on Facebook, the Cafe announced that they would no longer be operating the cafe after it opened three years ago.
“Thank you to our incredible community for making the last 3 years absolutely incredible. We couldn’t have done this without your strong support. We are sad to announce that this chapter is closing & our last day open will be next week, October 19th. We would love to see you in the next week for breakfast, lunch, Friday Fish Fry or just a quick drink. Thank you, Wales.
– The Rise & Shine Family”
The announcement was met with an influx of community support, as fans of the Cafe vowed to stop in one last time to chat with the staff, enjoy a nice meal, and appreciate a beloved part of the community.
Rise and Shine Cafe was opened by Max and Haley LeClaire, who both lived in Wales when the business opened and were extremely passionate about its unique, special identity.
The couple both grew up in Wales, with each attending Kettle Moraine High School.
Max had several years of experience working with the food industry and in restaurants, starting his journey at quite a young age. His wife, Haley, was a local rest estate agent and one of the partners at Realty Executives Integrity.
Rise and Shine Opened in March of 2023 after years of faithfully and passionately serving the community that they care for.
In February of 2025, Max had participated in the “Unwrapped Waukesha” event, which allowed a variety of local chefs to showcase their creations.
Max represented Rise and Shine Cafe alongside some other nearby favorites such as Bryant’s On the Round, The Commodore – A Bartolotta Restaurant, Daybreak Prime Meats and Deli, P Georgia’s Pasta Pizza Pub, PROOFhardicecream, Saz’s, and Wisconsin Brewing Company.
The restaurant will be dearly missed for its fun events, live music offerings, weekly fish fry, and the noteworthy menu featuring a delicious lineup of brunch specialties. Rise and Shine Cafe’s legacy will live on in Wales.
