Our History
Jake’s, A Lakeland Community, became Lakeland’s downtown Sheboygan presence in the spring of 2022, as Lakeland University expanded into downtown Sheboygan to provide more access to its award-winning Cooperative Education program, recruit the next generation of entrepreneurially minded students, and position the institution as a significant resource and partner for the region.
Thanks to the generosity of some well-known local innovators, the university acquired Jake’s Café at 529 Ontario Ave. and renamed it Jake’s, A Lakeland Community. Funding was generously donated by the late Herbert V. Kohler, Jr. on behalf of Kohler Co. and by Richard and Kristin (Jacobson) Bemis.
Jake’s, A Lakeland Community, serves as a collaborative “Communiversity” (community university) that combines Lakeland’s Cooperative Education program with university intellectual resources to create an environment for learning and practice. It also serves as a resource for community leaders seeking innovative solutions to real-world problems. In addition to expanded programming, Jake’s continues to host creative communities, businesses, and startups.
“Our innovation at Lakeland is fueled and inspired by these entrepreneurs who have helped position Sheboygan County nationally and globally. We admire the legacies of Herbert V. Kohler, Jr., Richard Bemis and Frank and Tryg Jacobson, and we are proud to work together on these shared visions and passions for building our communities.”
— Lakeland President Beth Borgen
Honoring Frank “Jake” and Betty Jacobson
Jake’s Café’ was created by well-known Sheboygan entrepreneur Tryg Jacobson as a tribute to his parents, Frank “Jake” and Betty Jacobson.Jake was a farmer from Stevens Point with a passion for drawing and photography. Betty was a “society” girl with interests in architecture, sculpture and painting. They met at the Layton School of Art and Design, fell in love, eloped to Crown Point Indiana, and were married in 1940. They later moved to Los Angeles, but eventually returned to Sheboygan in the late 40s. In 1957, on their picnic table, Jake and Betty founded Jacobson Advertising at their home at 1229 N. 4th St., Sheboygan. In 1962, they moved their agency to 529 Ontario Avenue. Three expansions and 50 years later, it became the Jake’s, A Lakeland Community campus.Jake and Betty went on to produce award-winning work for clients like Kohler, Bemis, Nemschoff, Richardson and others, but they will be most remembered for the launching of Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa. The tasty beverage was named and designed within the walls that houses Jake’s, A Lakeland Community. Betty’s original rosemaling still appears on their packaging 60 years later.