At least five coffee shops and cafés near Eastern Michigan University, all within a mile radius of campus, offer various options for students seeking an off-campus break from studying.
Combined, the shops provide a variety of business hours and menu options -- including specialty coffees, teas, and pastries. Each shop also provides a variety of inside, and when the weather permits, outside tables for enjoying their fare. The cafés also range in style of decor, experience, and atmosphere.
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea
At 735 W. Cross St., Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea is three-tenths of a mile from central campus and less than a 4-minute walk. Directly across the street from Boone Hall, Sweetwaters is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends.
The shop features a large menu: Coffees, teas, frozen drinks and pastries top the list. There are half a dozen tables inside where students can work or socialize with friends while sipping their drinks. Outdoor tables are also available, in the shadows of Ypsilanti's water tower, which is just up the block from the shop.
The coffee and tea chain, which also has a shop in Ann Arbor, first opened its doors in Ypsilanti in 2013. The Ypsilanti venue is housed in a large brick building that once was the location of the Campus Drug Co. One of the signs from that drugstore hangs on the back wall of the shop.
Northern Grind Coffee
Northern Grind Coffee, at 317 W. Cross St. in Ypsilanti, is about half a mile from the central campus at Eastern Michigan University. For most students, that's about a 9-minute walk from campus.
Northern Grind is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The shop has many places to sit and eat. There is a small seating section in the front of the building and one in the back with a sofa option.
The shop offers more than just drinks; also on the menu is a large selection of sandwiches. Those include a variety of breakfast bagels, panini sandwiches, and gluten free options. Northern Grind is a Northern Michigan inspired coffee shop and café. The owners say their goal is to connect to the local community through food and coffee.
Café Liv
Cafe Liv, at 202 N. Washington St. in Ypsilanti, is a neighborhood coffee shop offering a variety of hot and cold drinks, including coffee and tea, plus specialty baked goods from several area bakers. With some outdoor seating, the coffee shop is just under a mile from central campus, or about a 20-minute walk away.
Cafe Liv, at 202 N. Washington St. in Ypsilanti is about eight-tenths of a mile from central campus, or about a 15-minute walk from the edge of campus.
The cafe is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, and welcomes customers with a bright atmosphere, in part due to its large windows.
Patrons can order coffee to go or to be enjoyed in the café. The menu also includes a variety of tea, and some baked goods. There is a large selection of seating options, including a bar along the front windows.
The tables come in a variety of sizes, for singles or groups. Students often are found using the shop as a study area, with a coffee or tea by their side.
Ziggy’s
Ziggy’s in Ypsilanti is located at 206 W. Michigan Ave. The non-traditional coffee shop offers later hours for people to enjoy a coffee, beer or a cocktail. The venue often features live music and special events. Ziggy's is about a mile from central campus, and a good 25- to 30-minute walk, mostly down Hamilton Street.
Ziggy’s is at 206 W. Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti, about a mile from central campus, and somewhere between a 17 and 25-minute walk.
With late-night hours, Ziggy’s is a place for coffee that leans toward a bar. In addition to tea and coffee, the menu includes beer and cocktails.
The shop is open from 6-11 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Thursdays, and 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
There are some snacks on the menu but it's mostly a variety of cocktails, beers, seltzers, and more. Ziggy's also features live music and events almost every day.
Bridge Community Café
Owners of the Bridge Community Cafe, at 217 W. Michigan Ave. in downtown Ypsilanti, are building a business model on innovative ideas that help sustain the community. The cafe is right next to the downtown branch of the Ypsilanti Public Library and is about a mile from Eastern Michigan University's campus. The walking time is about 25 minutes from campus.
Bridge Community Cafe is at 217 W. Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti, about a mile from central campus. The cafe is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, except for Wednesdays, when it is closed.
The cafe offers a diverse drink menu with coffees, teas, specialty drinks, and mocktails. Also on the menu are pastries and some food options, ranging from a rainbow salad to a vegan burrito.
Managers said the cafe aims to create a safe space for community members and provide coffee and comfort to their customers.
These five coffee shops provide a unique style and menu. Some shops offer a large food menu, some specialty drinks, and others a late-night drink option. Each of the cafes serves Ypsilanti community members and EMU students with drinks and a sense of community.
