Casa Di Vite Toasts to Two Years of Business and Community in Excelsior Springs
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo – In 2019, Susan Blaser and her daughter, Brittni, fell in love with one of Excelsior Springs’ historical landmarks on the corner of Spring Street. The building, once the Hope Funeral Home, has since been transformed into Casa Di Vite International Wine Café. For the past two years, it has served as an intimate wedding venue, a wine café, and a local Airbnb.
The idea for the business stemmed from Brittni’s travels while studying for her master’s degree in Italy. During her time abroad, Susan visited her daughter and “fell in love” with the Italian atmosphere, which inspired her to bring a touch of Italy to Excelsior Springs.
Susan believed the location was ideal for the trio of businesses. “The building deserved to be brought back to life,” she said of the once fully operational funeral home.
Now, two years later, Susan has worked through the challenges of business ownership. When the facility first opened, she assumed people would come as long as the doors were open. This led her to learn the importance of advertising and adding value by offering a variety of cuisine options.
Casa Di Vite’s menu is now focused on flavors inspired by world travel, pairing the tastes of Greece with the charm of Italy. Greek-themed dishes like the Aperitivo Board, Mediterranean pizza, and gyros are menu staples, with plans to add a Greek-inspired soup for winter.
Reflecting on her early approach, Susan said she initially thought “people would just come in, have a glass of wine, and leave to dine elsewhere.” Now, she sees that customers often enjoy a meal along with a bottle or glass of wine.
She noted that adding cuisine has had a positive impact on her business. “When someone starts out as a local business owner, they learn how to adapt to the community and its needs,” she said.
Despite challenges, Susan said the most rewarding part of the past two years has been the support of her customers and local organizations like the Downtown Excelsior Partnership, Excelsior Springs Chamber of Commerce, and City Hall. Her efforts have also been recognized with state and local awards, including the 2023 Preserve Missouri Award from the Missouri Preservation Society and the 2022 Preservation Award in Excelsior Springs for her commitment to historic preservation.
Looking ahead, Susan plans to grow her business locally by expanding Casa Di Vite’s menu and hosting events. She ultimately hopes to pass down the café to her granddaughter, allowing future generations to enjoy the historic charm of downtown Excelsior Springs.
Learn more about Casa Di Vite on their Facebook Page.
If you appreciate the value our local journalism brings to the community, please consider making a recurring contribution to the Excelsior Citizen!
I love this place. They have done an amazing job restoring the building. Their gyros and wine are excellent.