Eggster Grab & Go Café: Fort Wayne’s Family-Owned Breafast Gem Expanding from Farmers Market to Brick-and-Mortar Success
- Morgan Koepp
- Aug 1
- 5 min read
In the heart of Fort Wayne, a unique café has breathed fresh life into the breakfast scene. Eggster Grab & Go Café, founded by the husband-and-wife team of David and Yan Wall, is not just a place to grab a meal; it's a family endeavor fueled by passion, determination, and a keen eye for opportunity. With a commitment to serving quality breakfast options that cater to busy lifestyles, the Walls have crafted a café experience that is both convenient and satisfying. Today we’ll explore the inspiring journey of Eggster, from its initial launch at a local Fort Wayne farmers market to its recent expansion into a brick-and-mortar location.
Founded by David and Yan Wall, Eggster Grab & Go Café has quickly established a loyal following in the Fort Wayne community. David, a seasoned entrepreneur with a diverse educational background, including an Associate of Applied Science in Electronics Engineering Technology from ITT Technical Institute, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University, is actively paving the way for the café's success. Alongside his role in running Eggster, David works as an insurance specialist for a faith-based mental health organization, allowing him the flexibility to support both his family and his business.
Yan Wall acts as the café's general manager, overseeing daily operations and guiding their expanding team. With a degree in education and a bachelor's degree in business focusing on finance, she plays a vital role in both the front-of-house and back-of-house operations. Their daughter contributes to the café as an employee, while their son assists wherever needed, reinforcing the fact that Eggster is a genuinely family-owned and operated business.
The Walls' motivation for starting Eggster stemmed from a desire for a fresh start and a more purposeful venture. David shared “We’ve had experience in several industries over the years, including retail, wholesale, and industrial work. This time, we took a step back to really reflect on what we wanted out of life and how business would fit into that vision. We did extensive research to understand which types of businesses not only survived but thrived during and after the pandemic, and why. We combined those findings with our own lifestyle goals and landed on food service as the right fit. We also felt a strong internal push to take action. We needed to generate income to cover living expenses and didn’t want to sit idle waiting for the “perfect” opportunity. Job hunting didn’t feel like the right move for us given everything we’d been through, and in truth, our heart was in entrepreneurship all along.”
On December 17, 2022, Eggster made its debut at the YLNI Farmers Market. Despite the chilly weather, David fondly remembers the warm reception from the community, which fueled their passion for delivering hot, fast, and satisfying breakfast options. Their core menu features an array of breakfast burritos and bowls, as well as made-to-order mini pancakes available in 3 fun varieties: Classic Mini, Whip & Drizzle, and Meat & Maple. Coupled with fresh-brewed coffee, flavored iced coffee, and refreshing tea beverages, Eggster's offerings are perfectly designed for those on the go.
Since their launch in 2022, Eggster has primarily operated at the YLNI Farmers Market throughout both the winter and summer seasons. Their consistent presence at the market has allowed them to build a loyal customer base and refine their menu offerings. This year, they have taken a chance at expansion by testing the waters at two additional Sunday markets, stepping beyond their Saturday foundation. During this expansion exploration, a pivotal moment arose when David learned from another food vendor about a unique opportunity to rent a small space at Cottage Flowers, a local flower shop conveniently located at the intersection of E Wayne St and S Barr St, just near their Saturday farmers market. Intrigued by the potential, David quickly inquired about the space and visited the location that same day. When asked why he felt the space was a good fit, he stated, "It felt like the right next step with built-in foot traffic and a chance to build something more permanent while staying connected to our market roots."
On May 27, 2025, Eggster Grab & Go Café officially opened its first physical location within Cottage Flowers. David expressed that from the very beginning, Eggster and Cottage Flowers have developed a strong working relationship and enjoy collaborating on new ideas together.
While the transition from the farmers market to a physical location has brought about many exciting changes, it hasn't come without its challenges. David noted, "The biggest change has been adjusting to the difference in foot traffic. At the YLNI Farmers Market, one of the largest in the state, there’s a steady stream of people every Saturday during the summer. In contrast, running a brick-and-mortar café outside of that market requires much more effort in advertising and outreach just to let people know we’re here.”
The café is open Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 2 PM, a schedule the Walls designed to accommodate breakfast and brunch crowds while aligning with the hours of Cottage Flowers. At this new location, their aim is to experiment with the open market, learn from the experience, adapt, and grow from there. When we asked David about his vision for the future of the business, he shared, “We’re taking things step by step. Right now, we see catering as the next natural phase of growth for Eggster. It allows us to serve larger groups while keeping our menu and operations streamlined. We’re also passionate about giving back and hope to do more for the community by supporting fundraising efforts and partnerships with local organizations. When it comes to events, we’re always open to the right opportunities, but we’ve learned that people value consistency, and so do we. We’ve built a loyal following, and we want to serve our customers by being reliably in the same place during our operating hours. Looking further down the road, we’ve definitely thought about the possibility of opening more locations in the future. For now, we're focused on learning, refining, and building a strong foundation.”
Grand Opening Coming Soon
Eggster Grab & Go Café will be hosting a grand opening celebration:
Friday August 29th from 8am - 2pm with a ribbon cutting at 9am!
236 E Wayne St, 46804
At Cottage Flowers
Make sure to come out and celebrate this new breakfast spot in downtown Fort Wayne!
Eggster Grab & Go Café represents a remarkable journey driven by passion, resilience, and a strong commitment to the Fort Wayne community. As David and Yan Wall navigate the exciting transition from farmers market to brick-and-mortar café, they remain focused on adapting and growing while fostering their family-oriented approach. With a vision to engage more deeply with the community through catering, events, and partnerships, along with hopes for continued expansion, Eggster is poised for a bright future. For inquiries about catering, fundraising, or wholesale services, feel free to call (260) 450-6411 and ask for Dave to discuss your options. Eggster Grab & Go Café invites everyone to stop by, explore their tasty menu, enjoy a delicious breakfast, and try a refreshing drink. Experience the friendly atmosphere that makes Eggster a wonderful addition to Fort Wayne!
