From Coffee Dates to Community Cornerstone: The Landean’s 3 Lakes Café
Jake and Abi cut the ribbon at 3 Lakes Cafe
For Jacob and Abigail Landean, the dream of owning a coffee shop didn’t begin with a business plan. It began with connection.
For Abigail "Abi" (Bailey) Landean '21 (Business Administration), that connection started years ago, when she would travel with her family and share coffee dates with her Dad along the way. Jacob "Jake" Landean '22 (Cross-Disciplinary Studies), on the other hand, always knew he wanted to build something of his own, even if he wasn’t sure what that “something” would be yet. When the two met at Roberts Wesleyan University, their individual dreams slowly began to merge.
That shared dream became reality in May 2024 with the opening of 3 Lakes Café.
What makes their story remarkable isn’t just that they opened a business; it’s how they did it. Jake and Abi are quick to say their path wasn’t carefully mapped out. They knew they wanted to open a coffee shop, but they trusted the timing to God. When Abi’s parents alerted them to a building for sale in Cassadaga just as the newly married couple was dreaming about their future, they took a leap of faith. They haven’t looked back since.
Jake and Abi celebrate with their staff
Today, 3 Lakes Café is more than a place to grab a cup of coffee. It’s a living room for the community. Abi describes her goal simply: she wants people to feel like they’ve walked into their grandmother’s house, received a big hug, and immediately felt at home. From eclectic décor to intentionally greeting every customer, that vision is woven into every detail.
“Good coffee matters, but building community matters just as much.”
Some of their favorite days are the loud ones: when every seat is filled, conversations overlap, and regulars linger long after their cups are empty. Those regulars have become extended family, stopping in to check on the couple’s newborn son, Josh, and sometimes holding him throughout their visit. Jake and Abi can already picture him growing up in the café, surrounded by the village they’ve built together.
The community gather around the 3 Lakes mural Abi painted in the cafe
Their Roberts education plays a key role in how they run the business. Abi’s Business Administration background, especially her marketing courses, shaped the café’s strong visual brand and social media presence. When business slows, her staff jumps into content creation, an approach that’s earned recognition well beyond the café walls. Jake draws daily from his cross-disciplinary studies in religion, psychology, and business, using what he learned about people and purpose to guide how he serves customers and leads his team.
Looking ahead, their dreams continue to grow. Abi’s heart is rooted in the brick-and-mortar café, while Jake envisions expansion: another location on the south side of Chautauqua County, a mobile coffee trailer for events, and even roasting their own beans. One day, they hope Three Lakes will become a local chain that the community can proudly call its own. Even the café’s name reflects that vision, rooted not in themselves, but in the place they love. Cassadaga is known for its interconnected, three-lake chain.
When asked for advice to current Roberts students dreaming of starting something new, their answer is grounded in faith.
“Whenever we didn’t know how to take the next step, the Lord provided,” they shared. Trusting God’s leading, committing to the work, and persevering through the learning curve have carried them through the challenges of entrepreneurship.
“If you’re confident you’re following what God is calling you to do, trust that He’ll take care of it.”
A mug of coffee with latte art on top
At nearly two years in, Jake and Abi already feel confident about the future. As they put it simply, “We’ll be here for decades.”
And for the community gathered around their tables each day, that’s very good news.
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About the author
Roberts Wesleyan University
As a community of learners committed to historic Christianity, Roberts Wesleyan University seeks to prepare thoughtful, spiritually mature, service-oriented people who will help transform society.
We are a private Christian university in Rochester, New York, offering over 80 undergraduate and graduate programs.
As the only NCAA Division II institution in the region and member of the East Coast Conference, Roberts is committed to academic excellence, spiritual formation, and competitive athletics.