Member Spotlight: Starving Artist Cafe

Watch our video interview with current owners Shanna and Jamie Windemiller

Where Brunch Meets Art—and a Legacy Lives On

If you wander down Colley Avenue in Norfolk, you might notice a splash of color before you even step inside The Starving Artist Café. Sunlight filters through the windows, illuminating canvases by local creators, while the comforting scent of fresh-baked muffins drifts through the air.

This cozy breakfast, brunch, and lunch spot has always been more than a place to eat. It’s a gallery, a gathering place, and for many, a sanctuary. And it all began with an artist named Kim Keene.

A Vision Born from Creativity and Care

When Kim opened The Starving Artist Café in 2015, her dream was simple but powerful: create a space where art and food could nourish the community in equal measure. She blended her skills as an artist with her love for people, offering a menu filled with comfort food, vegan and gluten-free options, and a rotating showcase for local talent.

But Kim’s story took a turn in 2022, when her cancer returned—this time metastatic. Knowing she couldn’t keep up with the daily demands of the café, she made a decision rooted in both courage and love: she entrusted her life’s work to Shanna and Jamie Windemiller, a husband-and-wife team whose values and passion mirrored her own.

Carrying the Torch

Shanna, an artist and chef, and Jamie, a Navy veteran affectionately nicknamed “The Muffin Man,” stepped into ownership with reverence for Kim’s vision. They didn’t seek to reinvent The Starving Artist Café—they sought to honor it.

From the start, they committed to preserving the elements that made the café special:

• Inclusive dining: Offering hearty breakfasts, fresh lunches, and gluten-free and vegan dishes that taste just as delicious as the classics.
• Consistency in quality: Ensuring each plate is made, presented, and served with the same care, day after day.
• Art at the heart: Continuing the tradition of featuring a local “artist of the month,” giving creatives a platform to share their work.

“It hasn’t always been easy,” Shanna admits. “Sourcing the right ingredients, staffing, and getting every detail right takes time—but our customers know they can count on us.”

A Legacy Painted in Pink

Kim’s influence didn’t stop when she sold the café. In 2023, she founded Paint Pink Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to helping cancer fighters with practical needs insurance doesn’t cover—meal delivery, house cleaning, lawn care, and more. She understood firsthand that sometimes the biggest relief comes from the smallest acts of kindness.

Even after Kim passed away in September 2024 at age 55, her mission carried on. Paint Pink’s Kim’s Krusade campaign more than doubled its original goal, raising over $226,000 to continue serving local cancer survivors. Her life, and her work, remain a testament to the belief that community care can change lives.

Rooted in Community

The Windemillers have embraced that same spirit of service. Beyond their day-to-day in the café, they give back—donating time and services to other small businesses, nonprofits, and community groups. They’ve made the café a place where everyone, regardless of dietary needs or background, feels welcome.

Looking ahead, they hope to expand seating and broaden their selection of baked goods so they can serve more people in comfort. And as they grow, they’ll keep their roots firmly planted in the same values that have defined the café since day one.

Words for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

For those dreaming of opening a business, Shanna offers advice shaped by experience:

“Do your homework. Research your location, know your equipment and staffing needs, and—most importantly—get involved in your community. Network with your civic league and business groups. Those relationships will sustain you.”

More than a Café

The Starving Artist Café isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a living tribute—to art, to courage, and to the enduring impact of one woman’s vision.

When you walk in, you’re greeted not just by the aroma of fresh coffee and muffins, but by the warmth of a space built to connect people. You might come for the food, but you’ll leave with something more—an experience that feeds both body and soul.

So, next time you’re in Norfolk, stop by. Enjoy a plate of something delicious. Take in the local art. And know that in this little corner of Colley Avenue, you’re part of a bigger story—a story painted in bold colors, kindness, and a whole lot of heart.

If you’d like to learn more about Paint Pink or support their work, visit paintpink.org. To explore the café’s menu, events, and featured artists, visit starvingartistcafe757.com or follow them on Instagram @starvingartistcafe757 and Facebook Starving Artist Cafe Norfolk.