“For years I’ve been hearing other people tell their stories and getting really inspired by people who can take the leap,” Topor says. She took that repetition as a sign that "something's pulling on my heart here to do that and make a change."
Now, she and husband Kyle Reichert have taken their own leap of faith, launching Wonderift in the Phoenix enclave of Ahwatukee.
Wonderift is located on the southwest corner of Warner Elliot Loop and Equestrian Trail. The cafe was previously home to Odelay Bagel Co., which shuttered in 2019. Along the crest of the building, a sign reading “Bagels & Coffee” still hangs. That’s ideal for Wonderift, which serves coffee and espresso drinks made with beans from Phoenix roaster Provision, along with housemade baked goods and bagels from south Phoenix baker Bagelero.
Topor and Reichert have lived in the neighborhood since 2017. The bagel shop’s closure left a hole in the area. The couple also noticed that, for people visiting South Mountain Park and Preserve, there wasn’t a spot to fuel up or wind down.
“We wanted to really fill that gap to be that meeting spot or ending spot for people who are hiking or biking,” Topor says, noting that the coffeeshop is situated steps from trail access.
The cafe gets its name from Wonder Rift, “a mass of slate-gray rock of intriguing shape with a hole through which you can crawl if you wish,” which is seen along a trail in the preserve, according to a 1955 article from The Arizona Republic.
Wonderift’s design and offerings take “trail-ready” nods, too. The minimalist industrial metal and wood chairs, benches and tables offer more than aesthetic – they can take any dust or dirt that comes in. Once the weather cools down, the owners will open up the cafe’s garage door to let the breeze roll through the space. There are quick-grab snacks, including locally made beef jerky and nut mixes. A cooler is stocked with pickles in individual pouches, apple juice, soda and nonalcoholic canned cocktails from the Tucson-based Parch.
Since soft opening on July 26, the owners have given their baristas creative license to “go a little wild and experiment,” Topor says. When the cafe opened, the owners were taken aback by the response.
“At 8:01, there were 15 people in line,” Topor says while sitting at the long community table at the front of the cafe with her husband. “It was nonstop.”
That validated their hunch that “the community is kind of craving this,” Reichert says.
For the cafe’s house drinks and bites, Topor is focused on creating high-quality syrups and baked goods, and sourcing top-shelf local items, such as teas from Tucson's Maya Tea Co.
A quickly emerging fan-favorite being crafted at the electric yellow La Marzocco espresso machine is Wonderift’s banana bread latte. The drink is made with a house banana syrup that has notes of caramelized banana and cinnamon. Customers can choose between oat or whole milk, and the latte is finished with a dehydrated banana coin. For the hot summer days, the Wonderift team is also crafting an espresso tonic with a bright house-made strawberry syrup.
“Everything’s made with a real fruit,” Topor says.
Wonderift’s pastry case is stocked with a selection of Bagelero’s bagels, including its popular jalapeno-cheddar and blueberry, along with Topor’s favorite chile relleno. Topor also bakes items, including banana bread that’s cut into thick slabs and glazed scones spiked with orange or lime. The owners say they will grow the food and coffee menus over time, and plan to partner with Mi Catering on burritos, including a breakfast option.
For now, they’re getting ready for a grand opening celebration on Sunday. The event will kick off at 7 a.m., featuring complimentary coffee, samples of Parch's mocktails and a market featuring Emigos Bike Shop, Tiny Horse Studio and Thuy Ceramics.
“We’re taking our time, we’re doing things right, and we want to put out a good product,” Topor says. “It’s been affirming to see people realize that.”
Wonderift isn’t the only new addition that Topor and Reichert will celebrate this year. The couple will welcome their first child in December. They learned they were expecting on the same day they started demo on the space to transform it into Wonderift.
“We’re celebrating two things now instead of one,” Topor says. “It’s really exciting.”
Wonderift
Grand opening on Aug. 1712020 S. Warner Elliot Loop, #115
