Nestled in the heart of the Lake of the Ozarks, Paint Box Café serves more than just coffee and comfort food — it dishes out a sense of home.
For owner Shae Hymes, that feeling is personal. The Lake of the Ozarks native grew up visiting the café and returned to turn a childhood dream into reality.
The café was originally opened by local entrepreneur Roxie Kelley in 2011 and later owned by Dale Mitchell. It left a lasting impression on Hymes, who first imagined owning a café during a middle school project. That vision stuck.
She said she continued to visit the café throughout high school and it became a special place for her.
In college, she revisited Paint Box for a business assignment, meeting with Mitchell to learn more about the inner workings of the café.
After spending time teaching and working at an accounting firm, Hymes found herself drawn back to that original dream.
“When the opportunity to purchase Paint Box came up, it felt like everything had come full circle,” she said. “I knew it was the perfect time to make that dream a reality.”
With Mitchell preparing for retirement, Hymes couldn’t bear the thought of the café closing, so she stepped in to carry the torch.
Under her ownership, Paint Box remains true to its roots: homemade soups, sandwiches and desserts, a warm atmosphere and a personal touch in every dish.
“There’s a warmth and authenticity in every bite that you just don’t find everywhere,” she said. “We’re always adding new specials and creative desserts to the menu, which keeps things fresh and gives our guests something new to look forward to with each visit. It’s that personal, handcrafted touch and constant creativity that gives the café its charm and makes it a place people love returning to.
That creative freedom is one of the most rewarding parts of ownership for Hymes. She finds joy in developing seasonal soups, experimenting with new bakery items and specialty drinks, and engaging with regulars who have become familiar faces.
Paint Box has recently expanded its offerings, adding specialty coffees and homemade granola — along with dog treats, so furry visitors don’t leave empty-pawed. The café also caters and rents out space for everything from baby showers to celebrations of life.
Looking ahead, Hymes plans to launch breakfast service and extend café hours. A boutique expansion is also in the works, offering not just apparel, but home décor and curated children’s picture books.
Hymes says the goal of Paint Box Café is to offer an “inviting place where guests can unwind, connect and enjoy each other’s company. Whether you’re stopping in for a relaxed lunch or picking up a specialty coffee or tea, it’s a welcoming spot for everyone to enjoy.”
For Hymes, Paint Box isn’t just a business. It’s a love letter to her community — and a dream, years in the making, come true.
