You know what downtown needs...

[laphoque]

Most bars have coffee and tables and food as well. There are tons downtown. Mudgie's isn't far either and they're open til 9 a lot.

Don't worry so much about feeling awkward, especially if you order food. And maybe you could make friends with the workers.

I don't know about a place being mostly downtown residents though. You might want to invite some downtown friends out for a drink.

Don't be afraid of the Wayne State & Detroit Public Libraries either.

[Whitehouse]

I have a whole different idea of a coffeshop.



Here's the menu...


The only map you need in Amsterdam.

[n7hn]

The statement "what detroit needs is" implied there was some far reaching cure to detroits woes. Therefore my reaction was "OH, Is that all detroit needs" .... so I cant speak for everyone, but thats why i saw this as more of a less serious post open to ridicule and scorn. HAd it said "I wish there was a" or "I really want to find a" or "can someone explain why there isn't a" all may have brought more insightful and compassionate replies. Just thinking here,........ I dont do it often,

[Lowell]

This is the internet. It is far easier to tear things down from the obscurity of distance than to engage in constructive conversation or, god forbid, actually propose any thing. Introducing 'reality' into the conversation? Hardly, unless mockery and dissension is one's idea of reality.

I am sure that those who feel it is their role to deride this idea were part of the same chorus deriding Slows, Avalon Bakery and other absurd ideas. This proposal is modest by comparison.

[Stosh]

This is the internet. It is far easier to tear things down from the obscurity of distance than to engage in constructive conversation or, god forbid, actually propose any thing. Introducing 'reality' into the conversation? Hardly, unless mockery and dissension is one's idea of reality.

I am sure that those who feel it is their role to deride this idea were part of the same chorus deriding Slows, Avalon Bakery and other absurd ideas. This proposal is modest by comparison.

There's no obscurity of distance in this regard. I'm closer to Detroit proper than you are. And I endeavor to play the devil's advocate in this matter, and I get this as a response? Lovely.

Mockery and dissention are part and parcel of a healthy discussion. I mean, how many times does the same stuff get mentioned, i.e. I wish we had...[[insert flavor or half baked idea of the month)? I mean, come on.

For what it's worth, I have never, ever derided Slow's or Avalon bakery. They serve their demographic quite well, as well as are solid businesses and, from what I can see, have a solid business plan. Of course Slow's was helped along by the owner's family, and if anyone had that kind of backing, perhaps there would be more successful businesses in the area, but I digress.

I, for one, feel that the City needs new businesses, but there's no way that any independent can cobble together a "Central Perk" type of coffee shop, without the critical mass of a dedicated and loyal clientele. And what the OP and others fail to address is the police and crime aspect of the varied and sundry cities mentioned in a whole lot of other posts. Royal Oak, Chicago, et al. All have one thing in common, a more responsive police force. Once the city decides to address crime, and the people that patronize businesses in the city from within and without the city stop using the hard working businesses as their own personal 5 finger discount shopping source, then maybe, just maybe, you will get what you want.

[wolverine]

There's no obscurity of distance in this regard. I'm closer to Detroit proper than you are. And I endeavor to play the devil's advocate in this matter, and I get this as a response? Lovely.

Mockery and dissention are part and parcel of a healthy discussion. I mean, how many times does the same stuff get mentioned, i.e. I wish we had...[[insert flavor or half baked idea of the month)? I mean, come on.

For what it's worth, I have never, ever derided Slow's or Avalon bakery. They serve their demographic quite well, as well as are solid businesses and, from what I can see, have a solid business plan. Of course Slow's was helped along by the owner's family, and if anyone had that kind of backing, perhaps there would be more successful businesses in the area, but I digress.

I, for one, feel that the City needs new businesses, but there's no way that any independent can cobble together a "Central Perk" type of coffee shop, without the critical mass of a dedicated and loyal clientele. And what the OP and others fail to address is the police and crime aspect of the varied and sundry cities mentioned in a whole lot of other posts. Royal Oak, Chicago, et al. All have one thing in common, a more responsive police force. Once the city decides to address crime, and the people that patronize businesses in the city from within and without the city stop using the hard working businesses as their own personal 5 finger discount shopping source, then maybe, just maybe, you will get what you want.

.

The coffee houses I had in mind don't necessarily occupy the wealthy northside neighborhoods of Chicago or post graduate hoods on the westside. I've frequented coffee houses in Logan square and humboldt park that share or have shared very similar problems as Detroit. They were cheap startups that came back during the "remember when these streets were hard" times. While crime is still out of control in humboldt park, people are still moving in and the businesses are changing for the better.


Downtown Detroit..... different city, same story....

[Stosh]

.

The coffee houses I had in mind don't necessarily occupy the wealthy northside neighborhoods of Chicago or post graduate hoods on the westside. I've frequented coffee houses in Logan square and humboldt park that share or have shared very similar problems as Detroit. They were cheap startups that came back during the "remember when these streets were hard" times. While crime is still out of control in humboldt park, people are still moving in and the businesses are changing for the better.


Downtown Detroit..... different city, same story....

You know, pissing about this whole thing is just non productive. I like the idea of having a non-profit cafe, located in either a church space, or a building that is owned by a non-profit organization of some sort. That way, the whole thing gets to actually serve the community in some form, gets to be what they want to be without much interference from the City, and avoids the tax ramifications that are the death knell of some start ups. Here's a link to a guy that actually has done it, and the video from vimeo that details the whole story of the founding of this place.

http://eugenecho.wordpress.com/2009/...ommunity-cafe/

http://vimeo.com/5923365
There are lots of non-profit organizations that populate Detroit, downtown and in Midtown. A person interested in creating something of this sort may be more successful to actually start up something like that. Public good is always a motivator, someone more idealistic and with more energy than I may be interested in this concept.

As a teen, I was kept off the street by a church based youth community center. While it was short lived, it impressed upon me the need for such a thing, and it's really rare to see churches that actually do this. The coffee shop concept may also serve to be a community builder of sorts in Detroit. Thoughts?

[HazenPingree]

Addition to the open coffee shops already mentioned in other posts, the coffee shop attached to 1515 Broadway is pretty decent.

There are also a few shops in progress!

• Astro Coffee is opening on the Slow's block. The owner is amazing, and I am confident that the shop will be fantastic.
• A sign has been installed on the Beethoven for "The Bottom Line," also a coffee shop coming soon, but I don't know any details.
• There are plans for a tea shop in 71 Garfield in the Sugar Hill Arts District.
• I also know that there are a few prospective business owners who are exploring opening coffee shops somewhere in Midtown.

[canuck]

What bothers me is that this type of small business which is underrepresented in Detroit is also the type that would give people jobs in a host of industries peripherally. It really is strange how the downtown has come to this. I guess the proper way to start a business like that is to identify a busy enough area for viability and security. If small concentrations of shops are helped along, bigger areas will follow. If parking is such a sacrosanct thing in the D, well so be it, dont let city authorities gouge drivers and hinder development in the core. The future transit opportunities if or when they come will balance things out. That may be why incentives from property owners and the state are important. Michigan is not a state with a huge debt, it can afford to prop up Detroit. When the M-1 rail does happen, there will be a reinvestment of the corridor which will definitely attract attention from other parts of town and business people will be more vocal about getting action in there quarters.

[Hermod]

Michigan is not a state with a huge debt, it can afford to prop up Detroit.

In what alternate reality do you live??

[English]

Addition to the open coffee shops already mentioned in other posts, the coffee shop attached to 1515 Broadway is pretty decent.

There are also a few shops in progress!

• Astro Coffee is opening on the Slow's block. The owner is amazing, and I am confident that the shop will be fantastic.
• A sign has been installed on the Beethoven for "The Bottom Line," also a coffee shop coming soon, but I don't know any details.
• There are plans for a tea shop in 71 Garfield in the Sugar Hill Arts District.
• I also know that there are a few prospective business owners who are exploring opening coffee shops somewhere in Midtown.

Thanks for this! I mean, when it comes to coffee shops and the like, things in the CBD are a sight better than they were 8-10 years ago, and Midtown is like an entirely different place.

[DetroitPlanner]

Addition to the open coffee shops already mentioned in other posts, the coffee shop attached to 1515 Broadway is pretty decent.

There are also a few shops in progress!

• Astro Coffee is opening on the Slow's block. The owner is amazing, and I am confident that the shop will be fantastic.
• A sign has been installed on the Beethoven for "The Bottom Line," also a coffee shop coming soon, but I don't know any details.
• There are plans for a tea shop in 71 Garfield in the Sugar Hill Arts District.
• I also know that there are a few prospective business owners who are exploring opening coffee shops somewhere in Midtown.

Unfortunately none of those are 'Downtown'. I am pretty sure the original request was for places in the CBD. Thanks for the info on Sugar Hill Arts District. Quite frankly I never heard of it. I work on infastructure, policy, and funding issues so stuff about the arts flies under my radar.

[softailrider]

Addition to the open coffee shops already mentioned in other posts, the coffee shop attached to 1515 Broadway is pretty decent.

There are also a few shops in progress!

• Astro Coffee is opening on the Slow's block. The owner is amazing, and I am confident that the shop will be fantastic.
• A sign has been installed on the Beethoven for "The Bottom Line," also a coffee shop coming soon, but I don't know any details.
• There are plans for a tea shop in 71 Garfield in the Sugar Hill Arts District.
• I also know that there are a few prospective business owners who are exploring opening coffee shops somewhere in Midtown.

With all due respect, whoever is planning to open a tea shop at 71 Garfield needs to get their head examined.

[DetroitDad]

No, no ,no ,no!

You aren't seeing BrushStart's vission. While we don't have one of these places in Downtown Detroit, we do have one in one of our satellite town centers; Plymouth Michigan. Check out the Plymouth Coffee Bean, which is the longest running coffee shop in Michigan. They revolve around coffee music, art, and poetry. I can't seem to find any descent pictures of the interior, but it is set up in the style of a former house, slightly similar to the Whitney.... it's warm and welcoming. Detroit's could be that, or something totally different, but the atmosphere would remain the same.

Brush Start, have you been there? Is that what you had in mind?

PS; Check out Jazzy Cafe Downtown, just off Harmony Park. Also, check out the lobby bar at the Leland Building in the AM and afternoon, as well as the food court at the Russell Industrial Center, on the weekends.

[BrushStart]

No, no ,no ,no!

You aren't seeing BrushStart's vission. While we don't have one of these places in Downtown Detroit, we do have one in one of our satellite town centers; Plymouth Michigan. Check out the Plymouth Coffee Bean, which is the longest running coffee shop in Michigan. They revolve around coffee music, art, and poetry. I can't seem to find any descent pictures of the interior, but it is set up in the style of a former house, slightly similar to the Whitney.... it's warm and welcoming. Detroit's could be that, or something totally different, but the atmosphere would remain the same.

Brush Start, have you been there? Is that what you had in mind?

PS; Check out Jazzy Cafe Downtown, just off Harmony Park. Also, check out the lobby bar at the Leland Building in the AM and afternoon, as well as the food court at the Russell Industrial Center, on the weekends.

I actually have been to the "Bean" in Plymouth on several occasions. It has a good beatnik-esq atmosphere and it serves as a neighborhood hangout spot, mostly for teens, but a cool place nonetheless. Plymouth also once had a coffee shop/hookah bar that served as a similar neighborhood hangout, but it closed many years ago. A place like this would definitely be nice to have downtown- especially because it would draw an older more sophisticated crowd than the places in Plymouth. So, yeah, I was thinking of a place very similar to the Bean, or or perhaps that coffee shop in Birmingham, whose name is currently escaping me...

Unfortunately, I never made it to Espresso Jazzy Cafe. I say with major regret that I didn't know it existed, despite having walked through that part of town all the time [[erikd I stand partially corrected). However, I don't know if they are still open... when I went to their Facebook page, it says that they served their last cup of coffee on August 10th of this year. If nobody knows, I'm going to walk by tomorrow or the next day to see if they are still open and I'll update everyone. If I forget, please remind me.

[DetroitDad]

I actually have been to the "Bean" in Plymouth on several occasions. It has a good beatnik-esq atmosphere and it serves as a neighborhood hangout spot, mostly for teens, but a cool place nonetheless. Plymouth also once had a coffee shop/hookah bar that served as a similar neighborhood hangout, but it closed many years ago. A place like this would definitely be nice to have downtown- especially because it would draw an older more sophisticated crowd than the places in Plymouth. So, yeah, I was thinking of a place very similar to the Bean, or or perhaps that coffee shop in Birmingham, whose name is currently escaping me...

Unfortunately, I never made it to Espresso Jazzy Cafe. I say with major regret that I didn't know it existed, despite having walked through that part of town all the time [[erikd I stand partially corrected). However, I don't know if they are still open... when I went to their Facebook page, it says that they served their last cup of coffee on August 10th of this year. If nobody knows, I'm going to walk by tomorrow or the next day to see if they are still open and I'll update everyone. If I forget, please remind me.

Well that truly is depressing. I went there all the time when I worked on that block. Please do, I'll check it out too, when I get the chance.

Bora, Bora's Bistro in Novi is also interesting, along with the various places in Dearborn. Actually, there used to also be a coffee shop next to Bora, Bora's that had couches and the like, but it wasn't very inviting, in my opinion. It felt like a Starbucks.

[BrushStart]

I actually have been to the "Bean" in Plymouth on several occasions. It has a good beatnik-esq atmosphere and it serves as a neighborhood hangout spot, mostly for teens, but a cool place nonetheless. Plymouth also once had a coffee shop/hookah bar that served as a similar neighborhood hangout, but it closed many years ago. A place like this would definitely be nice to have downtown- especially because it would draw an older more sophisticated crowd than the places in Plymouth. So, yeah, I was thinking of a place very similar to the Bean, or or perhaps that coffee shop in Birmingham, whose name is currently escaping me...

Unfortunately, I never made it to Espresso Jazzy Cafe. I say with major regret that I didn't know it existed, despite having walked through that part of town all the time [[erikd I stand partially corrected). However, I don't know if they are still open... when I went to their Facebook page, it says that they served their last cup of coffee on August 10th of this year. If nobody knows, I'm going to walk by tomorrow or the next day to see if they are still open and I'll update everyone. If I forget, please remind me.

Espresso Jazzy Cafe is NOT closed. It is still open as of 12/2/2010. Please see my clarification thread: http://www.detroityes.com/mb/showthread.php?t=8029

[DetroitPlanner]

Looks like Coffee Shop owners may be trending away from stuff like wifi.

“I don’t think I’d ever do a bigger space with tables and chairs again,” Ms. Bell said. “I appreciate the idea of when you go someplace and it feels like a home away from home, but I don’t think it should be a home office away from home.” -New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/25/di...ffee.html?_r=1

[Gistok]

Looks like Coffee Shop owners may be trending away from stuff like wifi.

“I don’t think I’d ever do a bigger space with tables and chairs again,” Ms. Bell said. “I appreciate the idea of when you go someplace and it feels like a home away from home, but I don’t think it should be a home office away from home.” -New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/25/di...ffee.html?_r=1

I'm not surprised by this... you buy your $3 latte.... sit in a comfortable chair... spend hours doing your homework... or your work work.... get free Wifi, free lighting... free heating/air conditioning.... then how is a coffee shop supposed to make money??

I don't know... based on all the snarkiness on this thread and forum in general... to me it seems that folks with their laptops forever in front of them... they should be drinking LESS coffee, not more...

[Blue]

a coffee shop with couches and tables and a laid back atmosphere where I can walk down and do some work, read a book, and hang out with people from the neighborhood.

yes you are right!
that is a good idea.
How are we going to do this?
i am in.

[canuck]

yes you are right!
that is a good idea.
How are we going to do this?
i am in.

What's with the positivism already? You're in for some punishment!

[Norwalk]

>shakes head

[laphoque]

This is the only nonprofit cafe I know of: http://www2.metrotimes.com/culture/story.asp?id=14959

[Stosh]

This is the only nonprofit cafe I know of: http://www2.metrotimes.com/culture/story.asp?id=14959

That's truly a non-profit one all right. Free!

[Stosh]

What Detroit needs to do is import about 100,000 immigrants.

Yes, I can see that going over real well with a few in the city council. From where?