Bica Café
Eatery on Conner Street Serves European-Inspired Cuisine
Writer / Matt Keating
Photographer / Walker Photography
Isaiah Haymaker, general manager of Bica Café, says customers wont go away hungry, and its been that way since the restaurant opened.
Bica Café opened its doors October 2, 2020, and I began working as a chef at Bica beginning on December 2, 2020 – in essence, since almost the beginning, Isaiah says. Ana Platonova, my significant other and better half, followed shortly after, beginning to work as a barista on December 28, 2020.
The goal of the Bica Café team was to offer a cafe inspired by Portuguese and Italian fare.
The mantra, Beba isto com açúcar [Drink this with sugar], was the driving force behind the cafes name, and variety of coffee and tea drinks, small plates, and desserts that were known for, Isaiah says.
Isaiah notes that the previous owners did not live in Hamilton County, and both had full-time jobs outside the restaurant.
One of them had a different job opportunity which would take them away from the restaurant even more, Isaiah says. They approached me in December of 2021 about purchasing the restaurant since Ana and I had basically been running the restaurant through the week on our own.
Isaiah and Ana, both 23, enlisted Shelley Haymaker, Isaiahs Mom, to assist in raising the capital necessary to make the purchase.
Shelley, owner and member of Bica Café, says at the close of the business day on February 12, 2022, the restaurant ownership changed hands.
On Sunday, February 13, 2022, business opened up as usual, and the transition began with little to no interruption, Shelley says.
The hours of operation have changed slightly in order to be more consistent, according to Shelley.
Eventually we would like to offer dinner service on Friday and Saturday nights, Shelley says. We have had to reapply for a liquor license because the Riverfront licenses cannot be transferred. We are participating more in the Noblesville Main Street and downtown Noblesville activities. We are offering different specialty bakery and dessert items, along with different lunch specials. Isaiah became the new general manager, in addition to head chef and baker, while Ana became official manager of the front of the house.
Shelley says the atmosphere and layout of the restaurant will stay the same.
The scrumptious food and majority of the menu, with some revisions, will also stay the same, Shelley says. Our kitchen and other staff mostly all stayed through the transition, and were very lucky to have great, loyal co-workers. Isaiah remained as head chef and baker, while Ana remained as the lovely face and heart of the front of the house.
Some of the customer favorites that will remain the same include the Breakfast Fries, Shrimp Alhinho and Danishes, as well as the coffees and specialty drinks.
Ana has her own personal favorite.
I love the Shrimp Alhinho and Avocado Toast, Ana says.
Shelley says she loves the Chocolate Chip Cookies, Breakfast Fries and Liege Waffles, while Isaiah loves the muscles and charcuterie boards.
Shelley has high hopes for the future.
Hopefully our liquor license will be approved soon and well be bringing a variety of cocktails, she says. We will also have an assortment of lunch specials. We will also have new coffee and tea concoctions, various European pastries and desserts, and charcuterie and cheese boards.
Isaiah notes that the Noblesville community has been outstanding,
We cannot thank our community enough for the support, he says. Everyone we talk to about being new owners of the cafe has been so kind, loving and supportive. Mom has worked in this community for years – shes a local attorney – and seeing the friends and family who have come in to support Ana and I has been wonderful.
Many of the customers at Bica Café return often.
We love our regulars that are so loyal week after week, Isaiah says. We even had someone drive up from the Kentucky border just to order a large takeout order, because she cant get this type of food anywhere else near her. We are excited to bring great, quality food and friendly, loving service to each person who walks through our doors.
For more information on Bica Café, located at 933 Conner Street in Noblesville, call 317-764-2555 or visit facebook.com/thebicacafe.
