Getting Groovy

Good Vibes Abound at the Groovy Cat Cafe

Writer / Renee Larr
Photographer / Sarah Browning

Family is paramount to Lisa Sweeney. She and her husband Steve homeschooled their children, Grace and Jack, so working together is a family characteristic. When she retired last April, she decided to embark on a 30-day hiking and camping adventure with Grace. During the time spent communing with nature, she felt compelled to open a cafe with her son and daughter.

“I used to work in small cafes and coffee shops, and I always loved that vibe,” Sweeney says. “When we got home I said to Grace, ‘I think we’re supposed to do this.’ She agreed and suggested we give it a ’70s theme because she’s a hippie at heart. As a ’70s kid, I had such fond memories of that time that it seemed like a no-brainer.” 

The close-knit family opened the Groovy Cat Cafe on August 13, and it’s been going groovy ever since. The cafe serves breakfast and lunch, providing freshly baked, in-house goods, locally sourced products and farm-fresh produce. 

“We make everything here before we open,” Sweeney says. “Every baked good is made in-house. We also work with local farmers to procure our produce. We love being able to support local farmers and local companies. Because of this, we can provide amazingly fresh food. Nothing in our cafe is frozen, processed or fried.” 

Breakfast choices include fancy toasts, a berry quinoa breakfast salad, a breakfast hash, sandwiches and wraps. Lunch dishes include a homemade quiche, soup, salads and sandwiches. The Groovy Cat Cafe partners with local brands like Broad Ripple Chip Co., Tinker Coffee Co., Sidedoor Bagel, and Tea’s Me Cafe, owned by retired Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings. 

“We love to collaborate with other local businesses,” Sweeney says. “Our menu stays the same but we do run specials based on what we can get from local farmers, to feature that produce. We have a signature cake we’ve been selling like crazy. It’s a blood-orange-infused olive-oil cake. We also make our own pretzel buns.” 

Sweeney says she wants the cafe to be a place that brings people together to bond over good food, eclectic vibes and music. She and her kids have built the business with their own hands, and she’s proud of the work they have done in such a short amount of time.

“My husband and I have lived in this community for over 31 years,” she says. “It’s where we chose to raise our kids and we love it. I know my family bonds over food, and I want others to come in and bond over it here. Right now it’s just the three of us, but we’d love to get Steve involved someday.”

The Groovy Cat Cafe is located at 11659 Fox Road in Indianapolis. Give them a call at 317-855-1953. For more information, visit the business on Facebook and Instagram and online at thegroovycatcafe.com.