05/12/2026
Dear Fort Benton,
I am the current owner of the Wake Cup Coffee House and Restaurant. Over 4 years ago, my husband and I became aware that the previous owners wanted to sell; that they had been looking for 2 years, and the permanent closure was only weeks away. We loved that this mainstay of the community offered an inviting place to gather and to indulge in great coffee and food. We didn’t want to see it close. We made the decision to buy the building and the restaurant. We have celebrated many successes and endured some difficult times through the past 4 plus years.
Some folks here may not know this, but I actually live in Omaha Nebraska and care for my 93-year-old father. Omaha is also where most of my and Ken’s family live as well. Due to this distance, my ability to support the business on a consistent, day-to-day basis has been limited. I am not in Fort Benton often, and despite my best efforts, I have not been able to be as actively involved as the business deserves. I do not believe that I will have the opportunity going forward to provide the level of involvement and leadership necessary to meaningfully contribute to the continued growth and long-term success of the restaurant. With this in mind, I have made the sad and difficult decision to close the Wake Cup effective May 11th.
I want to express my sincere appreciation to the many wonderful customers who loyally supported us through the years. We are grateful for the friends we made along the way. We wish you all the best.
Julie Elliott
