By Faith Rosenshein Young | The Tully Team at Platinum Partners Realtors
When you’re choosing a place to live, you’re not just buying a house, you’re joining a community. For families across Warrenville, Naperville, and the Western Suburbs, that means discovering the local spots that make a neighborhood feel special. In Warrenville, one of those hidden gems is Evolet Eve Wine Bar and Cora Café, created by Monika Lefever. Known for its quirky charm, warm atmosphere, and strong ties to the community, it’s the kind of place that helps turn a town into a home. Lifestyle amenities like walkable cafés, neighborhood gathering spaces, and family-friendly businesses shape the way people connect with where they live. Monika’s story is proof that thriving small businesses don’t just serve a community, they help define it.
Stepping inside Evolet Eve Wine, Cocktails & Beer and Cora Coffee & Tea House is stepping into more than a business. You’re stepping into a community hub carefully cultivated by Monika to be a place where neighbors gather, friendships form, and unforgettable moments unfold.
For Monika, it’s the moments that matter most. “The coolest thing about owning a place like this is the moments that people share here,” she says. She recalls guests celebrating engagements, birthdays, and even the joyful surprise of a pregnancy announcement. “Every emotional part of people’s memories; it just hits me that these are moments I need to really absorb more.”
Building a Dream Against the Odds
Opening her doors in 2020 was no easy feat. With a three-year-old daughter at home, Monika spent a year and a half fine-tuning her business plan, determined to prove her vision could succeed. Banks are often skeptical of restaurants and cafes, but Wintrust Community Bank took her proposal seriously. That small yes gave her the confidence to keep moving forward.
At first, the location she dreamed of wasn’t available, so she pursued other options. Then fate intervened. “Crazy enough, right before I was gonna put in a deal in Winfield, I got a call that this space in Warrenville was opening up. It was the spot I had wanted all along. Who doesn’t wanna drive three minutes to work? I live here in Warrenville!”
Weeks before the pandemic shutdown, she signed the lease. Many told her she was crazy to move forward. But as she put it, “If I don’t do it, I’ve already failed. So I thought doing it was actually a win-win because there is a chance I could be okay.”
A Patio, a Pandemic, and a Silver Lining
COVID could have been the end of her dream, but instead it became a catalyst. With city approval, Monika helped transform an unused grassy stretch in front of her building into outdoor seating. It gave Evolet Eve the “destination vibe” she envisioned, while also offering guests a safe space to gather.
“It was the only silver lining of COVID. People love patios. And honestly, I wouldn’t have survived without it. It also created a ripple effect. Now Warrenville has a code for outdoor dining and even for food trucks. It set a precedent for future businesses.”
Community as Lifeline
Monika is quick to point out that her success is not hers alone. From city officials who backed her vision, to the community member who donated pavement for the patio, to the loyal guest who once left an envelope filled with encouragement and a check for repairs, the story of Evolet Eve and Cora Coffee is rooted in collective support. For Monika, community simply means “picking people up when they are falling,” just as others have done for her.
She explains that it’s weird how her business has become a community in itself. “There’s a shockingness of how close on a personal level it can be to own something like this. People come in and know my daughter’s Cora, depending on how often you come and how close we have gotten, you know even more personal things. There’s not this disconnect of business to customer . . . there’s lifelong friendships I’ve made because of this. There’s lifelong friendships that other people have made because we’ve all met here.”
Looking Ahead: A Walkable Warrenville
Monika’s passion extends beyond her own businesses. She envisions a more walkable Warrenville, filled with small businesses that serve as anchors for the community. “I’m the beginning of it, but we need more; more multi-use buildings, more gathering spaces. If we had a sandwich shop next door, that would be huge. That’s why I volunteered with Warrenville by Design. I want to see this city thrive.”
And through it all, she stays true to herself. “I’m so passionate about remaining me and being me, because obviously that resonates with people. Warrenville is kinda known for being quirky, and so am I, so I blend right in!”
Finding Home in Community
At The Tully Team, we know that finding a home is about more than square footage and floor plans. It’s about finding a community where you can connect, grow, and feel at home. Stories like Monika’s remind us why Warrenville and the Western Suburbs are so special, and we’re here to help you discover your place in them.
Faith is a licensed real estate broker with The Tully Team at Platinum Partners Realtors. With a background in home renovation, accessibility-focused design, and a deep commitment to client care, Faith brings both practical experience and heart to every project. She understands the importance of thoughtful home updates that support all stages of life and believes everyone deserves a space that feels safe, functional, and welcoming. Faith lives in DuPage County with her family and is passionate about helping others reimagine the potential in their homes.