Grand Rapids Coffee

[grandrollerz]

I thought about putting this in the off-topic area since it's literally called the GR Coffee House, but you know, there's enough movement in GR's coffee scene to warrant it's own thread (i think).

I'll start the thread with post about two new coffee happenings.  https://mix957gr.com/theres-two-new-places-to-grab-coffee-in-grand-rapids/  for Squibb and Sparrows.

• https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2021/06/local-eats-new-coffee-shop-brings-specialty-drinks-to-grand-rapids-neighborhood.html
• https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2021/06/squibb-coffee-bar-opening-at-downtown-market-in-grand-rapids.html

Sparrows is a great addition to Kingmas on Plainfield and I really love the support they've shown local entrepreneur  Frankie Volkema as the world's youngest licensed Q grader https://dailycoffeenews.com/2020/07/29/worlds-youngest-q-grader-launches-youth-supportive-joven-coffee/

Also...

Social Misfits is going in the second floor of the Marriot Residence Inn: https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2021/06/waffles-cocktails-and-coffee-bar-coming-to-downtown-grand-rapids.html

Anyone know anything else going on?

 

Sad to hear about Ferris closings too :-(  https://grbj.com/news/beverages/ferris-coffee-shutters-two-grand-rapids-cafes/ 

...but they recently got some good press in Sprudge!  https://sprudge.com/coffee-design-ferris-coffee-co-in-grand-rapids-michigan-177148.html

Quote

We love profiling brand new, up-and-coming, and emerging coffee companies here at Sprudge. And at the same time, there's something irresistible about a legacy story—learning about a company in the coffee game who has been around for generations, especially if they're continuing to grow and innovate.

 

[grandrollerz]

....dayum, and I didn't even see that Corridor Coffee has changed over!!!  https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2021/06/local-eats-morning-ritual-a-grand-rapids-botanical-coffee-bar-offers-unique-floral-herbal-flavors.html

Ok, last post for now....Alex and Rosie are great people.  Alex invited me for a tour and cupping at their shop in Grandville and I've been a loyal customer ever since.  I'm so glad they made it through the pandemic.

Quote

Littlefoot Coffee Roasters has received the 2021 Entrepreneur of the Year award from the Michigan State University Product Center, which provides support and services for businesses in the food, agriculture and natural resources sectors.

https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2021/05/michigan-entrepreneur-of-the-year-donated-coffee-to-help-struggling-cafes-reopen-after-pandemic-shutdown.html

[GRDadof3]

56 minutes ago, grandrollerz said:

I thought about putting this in the off-topic area since it's literally called the GR Coffee House, but you know, there's enough movement in GR's coffee scene to warrant it's own thread (i think).

I'll start the thread with post about two new coffee happenings.  https://mix957gr.com/theres-two-new-places-to-grab-coffee-in-grand-rapids/  for Squibb and Sparrows.

• https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2021/06/local-eats-new-coffee-shop-brings-specialty-drinks-to-grand-rapids-neighborhood.html
• https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2021/06/squibb-coffee-bar-opening-at-downtown-market-in-grand-rapids.html

Sparrows is a great addition to Kingmas on Plainfield and I really love the support they've shown local entrepreneur  Frankie Volkema as the world's youngest licensed Q grader https://dailycoffeenews.com/2020/07/29/worlds-youngest-q-grader-launches-youth-supportive-joven-coffee/

Also...

Social Misfits is going in the second floor of the Marriot Residence Inn: https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2021/06/waffles-cocktails-and-coffee-bar-coming-to-downtown-grand-rapids.html

Anyone know anything else going on?

 

Sad to hear about Ferris closings too :-(  https://grbj.com/news/beverages/ferris-coffee-shutters-two-grand-rapids-cafes/ 

...but they recently got some good press in Sprudge!  https://sprudge.com/coffee-design-ferris-coffee-co-in-grand-rapids-michigan-177148.html

 

I didn't know this but I recently found out that Sparrows is owned by Schuil Coffee now (like a licensing deal). 

[Winston1206]

57 minutes ago, grandrollerz said:

....dayum, and I didn't even see that Corridor Coffee has changed over!!!  https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2021/06/local-eats-morning-ritual-a-grand-rapids-botanical-coffee-bar-offers-unique-floral-herbal-flavors.html

Ok, last post for now....Alex and Rosie are great people.  Alex invited me for a tour and cupping at their shop in Grandville and I've been a loyal customer ever since.  I'm so glad they made it through the pandemic.

https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2021/05/michigan-entrepreneur-of-the-year-donated-coffee-to-help-struggling-cafes-reopen-after-pandemic-shutdown.html

If you haven't tried Morning Ritual yet, it is pretty good. I feel like they focus more on unique drinks versus just coffee, but some of their drinks are pretty great. 

[joeDowntown]

As far as the chains go, I've heard the Starbucks at Studio Park will mainly be a mobile order location (like a lot of locations in bigger metro areas). 

[grandrollerz]

https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2021/07/alger-heights-salon-owners-to-open-coffee-cocktails-business-next-door.html

I'm all for non-alcoholic options.  With the push for a quasi all ages dry bar https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/artist-working-to-open-grand-rapids-first-lgbtq-dry-bar/ - we need more options.   I would love love love if breweries would keep a few craft NA beers behind the bar for us former beer drinkers who still love going to breweries.

[grandrollerz]

https://grbj.com/news/beverages/grand-rapids-first-death-cafe-offers-a-safe-space-for-grim-conversations/

Anything that brings more access to Vietnamese-style coffee has got to be a good thing.  And in light of current events, we should all be talking more openly about our mortality and doing some advanced care planning (advanced directives et al).

I'll plug Spectrum Health's Advanced Care Planning tool here as well i guess: https://www.spectrumhealth.org/patient-care/services-and-treatment-detail-pages/advance-care-planning -- we provide free access to an online tool that walks you through everything you need to do, and provides the ability for online witness attestation (the hardest part IMHO) -- the link to request the tool is at the bottom of the page.

[Pattmost20]

2 hours ago, grandrollerz said:

https://grbj.com/news/beverages/grand-rapids-first-death-cafe-offers-a-safe-space-for-grim-conversations/

Anything that brings more access to Vietnamese-style coffee has got to be a good thing.  And in light of current events, we should all be talking more openly about our mortality and doing some advanced care planning (advanced directives et al).

I'll plug Spectrum Health's Advanced Care Planning tool here as well i guess: https://www.spectrumhealth.org/patient-care/services-and-treatment-detail-pages/advance-care-planning -- we provide free access to an online tool that walks you through everything you need to do, and provides the ability for online witness attestation (the hardest part IMHO) -- the link to request the tool is at the bottom of the page.

A death cafe you say...

[grandrollerz]

Another Terra Bagel location going into the former Ferris location on Ionia.....they also serve coffee.

https://mibiz.com/sections/real-estate-development/terra-bagels-expanding-with-new-location-in-downtown-grand-rapids

 

And a new coffee shop proposed on the veterans park on Sheldon:

https://grbj.com/news/nonprofits/nonprofit-nears-500k-goal-for-veterans-focused-coffee-shop/?utm_campaign=Newsletter - GRBJ Daily&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=182058899&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--H2heY0m-yQNsYDPyB3b54WEYKQzM2lPtoXasHgeaTQ-_QAyOXQ9jp9rxcXCfBiNzri3J8pEqZZuYLcZcbIlG85ThJsA&utm_content=182058899&utm_source=hs_email

[ZAP!]

On 11/13/2021 at 9:42 AM, grandrollerz said:

And a new coffee shop proposed on the veterans park on Sheldon:

https://grbj.com/news/nonprofits/nonprofit-nears-500k-goal-for-veterans-focused-coffee-shop/?utm_campaign=Newsletter - GRBJ Daily&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=182058899&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--H2heY0m-yQNsYDPyB3b54WEYKQzM2lPtoXasHgeaTQ-_QAyOXQ9jp9rxcXCfBiNzri3J8pEqZZuYLcZcbIlG85ThJsA&utm_content=182058899&utm_source=hs_email

As one of the most architecturally interesting, centrally located, and underutilized spaces downtown, I would love this. I only worry about accessibility, given the main entrance is up a short flight of stairs. It would take a lot of the small interior space to have both it and the rear door open.

[grandrollerz]

The former Rowsters (Rowers?) on Fulton is turning over to another coffee shop:  Entrepreneur to open West Side coffee house - Grand Rapids Magazine (grmag.com)

Quote

 

A Black- and woman-owned coffee shop will open on the West Side of Grand Rapids next week.

Owner Deanna Bossenbroek will hold a soft opening for Shift Coffee + Culture at 616 W. Fulton St. in Grand Rapids from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20.

Maybe I should try to lease the Rowsters they tried to put in the Gateway at Belknap?! Inventory - NAI Wisinski of West Michigan - Grand Rapids, MI - Commercial Real Estate Services (naiwwm.com)

[Winston1206]

3 hours ago, grandrollerz said:

The former Rowsters (Rowers?) on Fulton is turning over to another coffee shop:  Entrepreneur to open West Side coffee house - Grand Rapids Magazine (grmag.com)

Maybe I should try to lease the Rowsters they tried to put in the Gateway at Belknap?! Inventory - NAI Wisinski of West Michigan - Grand Rapids, MI - Commercial Real Estate Services (naiwwm.com)

I would love to see someone do something with that Belknap space. 

[grandrollerz]

Profile of Shift Coffee+Culture from Roast magazine:    Shift Coffee + Culture is Geared Towards Inclusivity in Grand RapidsDaily Coffee News by Roast Magazine

I like what they did with the place! Feels much more welcoming.

[joeDowntown]

12 minutes ago, grandrollerz said:

Profile of Shift Coffee+Culture from Roast magazine:    Shift Coffee + Culture is Geared Towards Inclusivity in Grand RapidsDaily Coffee News by Roast Magazine

I like what they did with the place! Feels much more welcoming.

I hope it does well. Seems like a good location w/ GVSU students, and I hate seeing those storefronts sit empty!

Joe

[thebeerqueer]

3 hours ago, grandrollerz said:

Profile of Shift Coffee+Culture from Roast magazine:    Shift Coffee + Culture is Geared Towards Inclusivity in Grand RapidsDaily Coffee News by Roast Magazine

I like what they did with the place! Feels much more welcoming.

Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to check it out. 

[grandrollerz]

New coffee shop in Alger Hegihts coming: https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/sip-coffee-cocktails-coming-to-blooming-alger-heights-neighborhood/

[grandrollerz]

Meh, drive thru. Decent use of a disused parking lot I guess.  https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/scooters-coffee-to-open-first-drive-thru-in-grand-rapids/

[grandrollerz]

Note sure how to cross post, but if it were possible I'd also post it in https://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/topic/115989-development-projects-belknap-lookout-area/

New coffee shop to Belknap area is Tashi's Place  on Bradford and Lafayette in that new mutil unit development by the RR tracks.  (255 Bradford)

https://www.tashisplacegr.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/tashisplacegrandrapids/

https://www.facebook.com/Tashis-Place-100677199200393

..I've always thought the old gas station (in this pictures reflection) would be a great coffee spot for the neighborhood....but I'll take this too!

[grandrollerz]

Ferris Coffee taking over café inside Bridge Street Market

https://www.grmag.com/food-drink/ferris-coffee-taking-over-cafe-inside-bridge-street-market/

Hopefully third time's the charm!  Probably good to have it be a corporate partner who can eat some operational losses to be offset by  just branding it Ferris.  Must have been hard for the other two cafe startups.

[grandrollerz]

Last Mile is opening a storefront at 1006 Hall.    https://sprudge.com/build-outs-of-coffee-last-mile-cafe-in-grand-rapids-mi-187818.html  Good for them! 

[RegalTDP]

5 hours ago, grandrollerz said:

Last Mile is opening a storefront at 1006 Hall.    https://sprudge.com/build-outs-of-coffee-last-mile-cafe-in-grand-rapids-mi-187818.html  Good for them! 

Really neat to see the work they are doing to restore this old building!  Here's a Google Street view of this site in 2020. From the pictures in the article,  it would appear Last Mile is taking the stall on the left side of the white building. 

Here's Street view from February 2022, apparently after they started working on the building.

Here are pics from the article that show the interior.  Looks like they are opening up the boarded-up storefront and replacing it with windows.  I bet it looks great when it's done.

Quote

 

Edited June 14, 2022 by RegalTDP

[organsnyder]

On 6/14/2022 at 10:36 AM, grandrollerz said:

Last Mile is opening a storefront at 1006 Hall.    https://sprudge.com/build-outs-of-coffee-last-mile-cafe-in-grand-rapids-mi-187818.html  Good for them! 

I grew up just a couple of blocks from there, and still am in the area frequently (church and kids' school). That building has been vacant for decades. Excited to see this project!

[grandrollerz]

Do people still buy celebrity endorsed coffees? Fleetwood Mac co-founder launches coffee company sales in Grand Rapids - Grand Rapids Magazine (grmag.com)  - ewww.

In better news: Soldadera Coffee tallies growth milestones - Grand Rapids Business Journal (grbj.com)

[egrguy]

1 hour ago, grandrollerz said:

Do people still buy celebrity endorsed coffees? Fleetwood Mac co-founder launches coffee company sales in Grand Rapids - Grand Rapids Magazine (grmag.com)  - ewww.

In better news: Soldadera Coffee tallies growth milestones - Grand Rapids Business Journal (grbj.com)

There's so many excellent local purveyors of coffee I don't see a need to go the celebrity route. (If Alton Brown did something) I'd be guilty and nibble.

Great news regarding Soldadera, its great seeing local companies succeed. 

[Cookin_peacocks]

I'm a huge fan of Lantern downtown. Recently discovered them and I go in several times a week. Amazing staff. 

 

Also, alt city in the market makes coffee drinks while they specialize in other things. Their drinks are also outstanding and the owners are super cool guys. 

 

Go to both places.