  Formerspringgardener Member Username: Formerspringgardener Post Number: 16 Registered: 07-2006 |
The Blend coffee shop in the Compuware building has been closed, apparently for good. Rumor floating around is that the company went bankrupt. Can anyone confirm? | ||
Ribalda Member Username: Ribalda Post Number: 21 Registered: 12-2006 |
Somebody should take the initiative to put "The Beaner" in there. Great coffee....and FRESH. Get you rapping. Ribalda | ||
Mcwalbucksnfitch Member Username: Mcwalbucksnfitch Post Number: 24 Registered: 10-2006 |
I had only been to that location once, but if the market is good enough, I'm sure Beaners', the Coffee Beanery, or Starbucks will take a look at that unit The two latter I have been or currently am an employee of | ||
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar Post Number: 380 Registered: 01-2006 |
If Beaners came to Detroit I would never go back to Lansing. My family could come visit me, but I would have no reason to ever leave. | ||
Mod Member Username: Mod Post Number: 73 Registered: 07-2004 |
The Blend closed up shop in Macomb county areas also. Looks like they're done. | ||
Mcwalbucksnfitch Member Username: Mcwalbucksnfitch Post Number: 25 Registered: 10-2006 |
They just opened one 1/4 of a mile from my house, at 21 Mile and Hayes. I've been there a few times, and it's good, but needless to say I'm sort of partial. Apparently they're currently building 6 more locations in metro Detroit and are looking to expand comprehensively to be a substantial figure in the coffee market in the area. Rochester, Keego Harbor, and Auburn Hills also have locations. www.beaners.com | ||
Mcwalbucksnfitch Member Username: Mcwalbucksnfitch Post Number: 26 Registered: 10-2006 |
Beaners that is. | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 1272 Registered: 11-2003 |
Many many great memories of going to Beaner's while in college at MSU. The original one is right next to campus and they are headquartered in Lansing. Great Michigan company to support. Would love to see them downtown. They have experience in a downtown market, they have two locations in Downtown Lansing. http://www.beaners.com/ | ||
Buddyinrichmond Member Username: Buddyinrichmond Post Number: 98 Registered: 02-2004 |
All the crying for Oslo but nothing for a long time nonchain place like the Blend? You'll get your Beaners, Chessecake Factory and dozens of Starbucks in the end. Good luck. | ||
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar Post Number: 381 Registered: 01-2006 |
For the longest time they only had 3 locations. But now have something like 75 locations in 9 states. | ||
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster Post Number: 1873 Registered: 11-2004 |
I think you are talking about two different types of clientele, Buddy. Oslo was a specific place, a destination. The Blend was a nice coffee shop, but somewhat interchangeable with other coffee shops. To contrast, when Cafe de Troit closed we lost a local meeting place, a point of community connection, and a chance to see a great hands-on owner every day in addition to a great coffeeshop. It was mourned quite a bit more. It is sad to see this go because ... WTF is up with this town and coffee shops? | ||
Thnk2mch Member Username: Thnk2mch Post Number: 552 Registered: 02-2006 |
There is a Beaners on Plymouth Rd., east of Farmington in Livonia. | ||
Swingline Member Username: Swingline Post Number: 646 Registered: 11-2003 |
The two Blends downtown had somewhat difficult locations. The one across from Cobo was a little bit too far for a quick trip for the folks working in buildings closer to Woodward. Starbucks in the Buhl Building is perfectly located and captured all the prime business. The store in the Compuware building had no street visibility. It had to get almost all of its business from the upstairs workers. Apparently there wasn't enough business from them. Also, it's not unusual to see Compuware workers trekking over to the Starbucks at all times of the day. I hope the landlords can find quality tenants for the vacated space. | ||
Yvette248 Member Username: Yvette248 Post Number: 311 Registered: 10-2006 |
I agree that the Blend should have had an outdoor presence the way Borders and Kinkos does. Its easier for Compuware employees to get coffee from the cafeteria than to go downstairs for "unremarkable" coffee. | ||
Lukabottle Member Username: Lukabottle Post Number: 14 Registered: 12-2004 |
A friend of mine worked at the Blend and was layed off several weeks before it officially closed. Her story was, she was layed off due to one or maybe both of the Blends closing in New Center. New Center staff moved to the downtown location. She was the bottom of the totem pole. The lease with New Center was violated and the Blend was sued. Soon after, the Blend closed down all their stores to the surprise of their staff. There was no warning. | ||
Magnasco Member Username: Magnasco Post Number: 218 Registered: 10-2003 |
The Blend Coffee was gas station quality. We can certainly do better. Their problem was not only location, it was product. The smoothies weren't too bad, but a coffee shop has to do coffee well, and they didn't. All the Detroit small business coffee talk and no mention of Rowland Cafe. Mmmmmmmm, now that's good coffee. | ||
Swingline Member Username: Swingline Post Number: 647 Registered: 11-2003 |
Yes, the Rowland Cafe has the best coffee downtown. | ||
Buddyinrichmond Member Username: Buddyinrichmond Post Number: 99 Registered: 02-2004 |
Where else can I get a fresh smoothy when I visit again for the Autoshow in January? | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 11032 Registered: 10-2003 |
Richmond maybe? | ||
Awfavre Member Username: Awfavre Post Number: 84 Registered: 08-2005 |
I really liked the espresso drinks in The Blend. I liked their stuff way better than Starbucks. It was nice to taste the espresso flavor, & not just the syrups. I am very sad to see them go, & I wish their laid-off workers the best. | ||
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar Post Number: 385 Registered: 01-2006 |
There is a great smoothie place in the Ren Cen. I think it's on the 2nd level of tower tower 300, if I remember correctly. | ||
Detroitrulez Member Username: Detroitrulez Post Number: 85 Registered: 12-2006 |
seriously now......how hard is it to make a smoothie? | ||
Rijobo Member Username: Rijobo Post Number: 18 Registered: 11-2003 |
Dunkin Donuts has better coffee than Starbucks | ||
Ribalda Member Username: Ribalda Post Number: 23 Registered: 12-2006 |
I have had some bad Dunkin' Donuts coffee lately. The Beaner The Beaner....a new chain. Ribalda | ||
Futurecity Member Username: Futurecity Post Number: 404 Registered: 05-2005 |
Almost every place has better coffee than Starbucks. Starbucks: "the McDonalds of coffee". | ||
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner Post Number: 585 Registered: 04-2006 |
Screw Em all, we need a Timmy's Downtown! | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 1251 Registered: 10-2003 |
The Blend's standard coffee was on the weak side; not much better than, say, Denny's. Beaner's (NOT the Coffee Beanery... that stuff is lame too) would be a great replacement. Much better quality. | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 4944 Registered: 10-2003 |
I'm surprised Beaners is so well known outside of Lansing, but I keep hearing its supposedly the second largest coffee shop franchise after Starbucks, which doesn't mean much as I'm sure there is quite a gap in the number of stores between 1 and 2. lol | ||
Apbest Member Username: Apbest Post Number: 357 Registered: 03-2006 |
hmm, I would have expected Caribou Coffee to have the number 2 nationally...but maybe that was the past, seems like their best days are behind them | ||
Mcwalbucksnfitch Member Username: Mcwalbucksnfitch Post Number: 27 Registered: 10-2006 |
Starbucks is the largest coffee company in the world, followed by Caribou. I know because I work for them. As for Starbucks' quality [brewed coffee], I don't necessarily care for the taste straight up, and I always put a little water in mine. The reason why it's so bold is because Starbucks carefully chooses their beans and only extracts the beans that are of the highest quality, often producing the most potent flavor. I could go into hours of Starbucks talk including how elevation, region, and roasting tactics effect the beans, but I'm sure you all could care less, especially because that has no relevance to the topic of this thread. As for Starbucks espresso beans, they have espresso drinks nailed...although other chains do grasp it nearly as well. The taste often depends on the quality of the espresso rather than the other ingredients, and Starbucks espresso equipment is state-of-the-art, as well as using the highest quality espresso. | ||
Futurecity Member Username: Futurecity Post Number: 408 Registered: 05-2005 |
"The reason why it's so bold is because Starbucks carefully chooses their beans and only extracts the beans that are of the highest quality, often producing the most potent flavor." Bold? Bitter is more like it. And there is absolutely no connection between bitter coffee and "highest quality beans" --- Unless you believe the corporate-spewed gobblygook. | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 1469 Registered: 11-2003 |
I am a humble person---put in a Dunkin Donuts. Best coffee bargain on the planet. | ||
Yvette248 Member Username: Yvette248 Post Number: 314 Registered: 10-2006 |
Another nomination for DD. | ||
Mcwalbucksnfitch Member Username: Mcwalbucksnfitch Post Number: 31 Registered: 10-2006 |
I've worked at a few different "gourmet" coffee companies and by far - Starbucks has the best beans. Coffee won't be bitter if it's fresh. Try asking how long it's been sitting in the pot next time. | ||
Keystone Member Username: Keystone Post Number: 236 Registered: 10-2003 |
The Owner of the Blend was a good guy, a sincere Detroit booster that owned some restaurants in the City over the years. I think he hoped the Blend would be a concept that could be copied over and over allowing him to spend his time elsewhere. Unfortunately, without the 'person in charge' being visible to the customer, the operation was a bit mediocre. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 7669 Registered: 12-2003 |
He must've been afraid to hire strong managers. They would've been his 'face' when he wasn't around. Classic entrepreneur mistake. Forget your first success contained a lot of you. The transition from 'run by one' to 'run by more than one' is usually the toughest in the entire growth curve of an organization. | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 1252 Registered: 10-2003 |
Excellent points, Gannon. | ||
Sterlingfox Member Username: Sterlingfox Post Number: 2 Registered: 12-2006 |
Quote: "There is a great smoothie place in the Ren Cen. I think it's on the 2nd level of tower tower 300, if I remember correctly." That place's name is Maui Wowi and it's in Tower 400, level 1, sort of back behind where the Renaissance Dr. Marriot entrance is. | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 1253 Registered: 10-2003 |
I've had very good Starbucks coffee most of the time, but on occasion I have run into the bitter taste that some folks complain about. Freshness does seem to be the key. I think Caribou is pretty good, but I don't feel good about patronizing that chain because of its ownership. (Message edited by Fury13 on December 21, 2006) | ||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 6092 Registered: 10-2003 |
I can't say I've ever had good coffee from Starbucks. I'll second the lament of the loss of Cafe Detroit. | ||
Sterlingfox Member Username: Sterlingfox Post Number: 4 Registered: 12-2006 |
Fury13, Caribou is a publicly traded corporation. How is ownership a problem? | ||
Zephyrprocess Member Username: Zephyrprocess Post Number: 184 Registered: 08-2006 |
I suspect this describes the concerns that some express about Caribou: http://www.snopes.com/business /alliance/caribou.asp | ||
Sterlingfox Member Username: Sterlingfox Post Number: 5 Registered: 12-2006 |
That explains it, but as the last paragraph of that page states, the company cut all ties to this supposed Islamic militant board member back in 2002. I suppose that's still not going to assuage people's fears, though. Also, according to Caribou's web site, Arcapita, the middle-eastern bank, owns 61% (confirmed through Yahoo Finance), not 87.8%, not that this makes any real difference. Even so, I'm not reading anything that would make me worry. | ||
Texorama Member Username: Texorama Post Number: 1 Registered: 12-2006 |
According to the Shoe Doctor in the Compuware hallway (a real master of his trade, BTW), a new company is taking over the Blend space and should have it open again within a few weeks. He didn't say who it was, but I'd be surprised if it were one of the big chains--they'd want to do more remodeling. | ||
Ramcharger Member Username: Ramcharger Post Number: 197 Registered: 05-2006 |
Foreclosure shuts doors on Blend coffee shops | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 1292 Registered: 11-2003 |
Sad how things did not work out for him. It's a shame. But it sounds like two Michigan based coffee chains (Beaners and Coffee Beanery) are looking at expanding in Detroit. | ||
Chitaku Member Username: Chitaku Post Number: 1025 Registered: 03-2006 |
glad i just bought a blender and some fruit i learned some good smoothie recipes from my days at karmic | ||
El_jimbo Member Username: El_jimbo Post Number: 20 Registered: 12-2006 |
Beaner's Coffee is fantastic! There are so many locations here in Lansing, it's so easy to hop in for a tasty cup o' joe. Last year, when I discovered that they were expanding so rapidly (they are the fastest growing coffee company in America), I was curious to find out if they were a publicly traded (I figure if they are expanding that fast then any public stock they might have is bound to boom in a short period of time). Alas, they are still privately owned. They just opened a shop in Sarasota, Florida. My mom is hooked on their coffee so she said she will be making the drive from Tampa to pick up Beaner's coffee whenever she gets the chance. | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 1275 Registered: 10-2003 |
No need for Coffee Beanery to go in there. I can get bad coffee at Denny's, thank you very much. The coffee in Astoria Bakery in Greektown isn't too bad for a mild blend. | ||
Detroitrulez Member Username: Detroitrulez Post Number: 108 Registered: 12-2006 |
worth noting that the downfall of the Blend occurred when they opened the Shelby Township location......just goes to show you. Suburbs = Bad. City = Good. That's your karma right there. oh,and I hate Coffee Beanery. always have, always will. agree with you there Fury13. | ||
Gianni Member Username: Gianni Post Number: 266 Registered: 05-2004 |
The new Europa cafe in Greektown makes excellent expresso. They will even make a "ristretto" which is how it's usually served in Italy, with less than half the little cup filled with coffee. Really just a "hit" of perfect flavor. Most Americans think they are getting shorted, so most places will water it up, when in fact this is how to get the best tasting expresso. Also the Rowland Cafe in the Guardian Bldg makes good expresso. Both use Illy brand coffee. Signor Illy is a fanatic about coffee quality and the process of making expresso. He wrote an article that was published in Scientific American about how to make the perfect expresso. | ||
Wash_man Member Username: Wash_man Post Number: 267 Registered: 05-2006 |
I have an idea. I always feel guilty when a business closes. "If only I had patronized them, they might still be open" My problem is that I have a list of favorite places and rarely stray from the list. However, at one time they, too were new to the list. So back to my idea. Can anyone provide a list of business that need a little boost in business to survive? Maybe we could all refer to the list when choosing where to eat, drink, dance, etc. Once they close it's too late. And please don't say "every business needs a boost". That's obvious. I am talking about some that are teetering on the verge of closing. I remember reading about the coffee shop near Central United Methodist Church and how it had been broken into so many times but the owner refused to give up. I made it a point and went out of my way to get coffee there as often as I could after reading that. But sure enough, it closed any way. I don't mean my purchases alone were going to keep it open, but I was hoping that other people were doing the same. Maybe a few fledgling businesses could be saved through our efforts. | ||
Tamber Member Username: Tamber Post Number: 29 Registered: 12-2005 |
I miss cafe de troit as well, but you can still order their coffee from Intelligentsia coffee in Chicago. Just ask for Cafe de Troit's Motor City Blend, or any of your old favorites. They will ship it to you and you can brew it at home. I was in total shock about The Blend and Oslo. I know the owners are beside themselves. -Cafe | ||
Milwaukee Member Username: Milwaukee Post Number: 610 Registered: 08-2006 |
That's too bad. I don't like hearing about places going under in downtown. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 7828 Registered: 12-2003 |
Every failed coffeehouse is merely delayed revolution, isn't it?! We used to laugh with Jim from the old Gotham City Coffeehouse up in Ferndale...which came first in France, the coffeehouses or the talk of revolution? How much DID caffeine play in those events?! Seems I've been talking about it for seventeen years now...heh. That's a lot of caffeine. | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 1280 Registered: 10-2003 |
Gannon, Robespierre and I used to talk about coffee a lot. But then, one of those mobs got him, and you know the rest... | ||
Mod Member Username: Mod Post Number: 78 Registered: 07-2004 |
It also didn't help that the workers at the Blend store on 23 mile were giving away free drinks to their friends. It was a decent place, but I noticed that it was frequented by alot of young kids (big turn-off if I wanted to go relax with a cup of joe). Come to find out they were getting 100% discount on ice cream and smoothies. I think the owners were over-extended and couldn't effectively manage the place. | ||
Yvette248 Member Username: Yvette248 Post Number: 366 Registered: 10-2006 |
They just opened a Beaners across from the Southfield Public Library. Evergreen & 11 Mile. | ||
Yvette1234 Member Username: Yvette1234 Post Number: 1 Registered: 01-2007 |
It’s hard to say what’s going wrong with our metropolitan independent coffee shops other than the big-boys (Starbucks, Caribou, Coffee Beanery and Beaners) are succeeding due to name only. I’m a serious coffee-head college student who love to support independent coffee shops. I’ve seen so many shops that have gone out of business. The Blend, Wallstreet Café (closed and re-opened under another name) due to bad location…Camillians Café, Café De Troit, The Brown Bean, Meetery Eatery all closed for what ever reasons? The only shops left Downtown Detroit other than Starbucks are Rowlands Café’ and The Coffee Café (both have excellent coffees) plus The Wayne State area coffee-shops Avalon and Bean & Bytes… all are very nice and hope they survive.…I will continue to support them all! Then there are the suburban coffee shops like Muggs that was located in Commerce Twp, did not last 2 years, the Daily Grind in Utica had to sell because they were too far from the street. Jazzy Java, Troy trying to sell due to poor visibility from being too far from the street. And other like Bravo Gourmet Coffee, Southfield, Brazil Coffee, Royal Oak, Black Gold Coffee, Southfield. | ||
Formerspringgardener Member Username: Formerspringgardener Post Number: 17 Registered: 07-2006 |
Where are Rowlands Cafe' and the Coffee Cafe' located downtown? | ||
Texorama Member Username: Texorama Post Number: 2 Registered: 12-2006 |
Brazil in RO is a good example. That was the place to see and be seen there for a while, yet it couldn't survive, while dull old Caribou and Starbucks keep chugging along. I just don't get the economics of it. | ||
Susanarosa Member Username: Susanarosa Post Number: 1299 Registered: 11-2003 |
Brazil was open a lot longer than Java was though... Now excuse me while I go get my Alice in Chains CD and black eyeliner... | ||
Yvette1234 Member Username: Yvette1234 Post Number: 2 Registered: 01-2007 |
To:Formerspringgardener Both are located in beautiful historic buildings. Rowland Cafe (Guardian Building) 500 Griswold St Detroit, MI 48226 The Coffee Cafe (The Dime Building) 719 Griswold St Detroit, MI 48226 | ||
Formerspringgardener Member Username: Formerspringgardener Post Number: 18 Registered: 07-2006 |
Thanks Yvette1234, I'll have to check them out. | ||
Toolbox Member Username: Toolbox Post Number: 1021 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: There were only around 6 coffee shops on a 2 block stretch of Main Street at that time. I am surprised there are still as many coffee shops in downtown RO currently. | ||
Yvette1234 Member Username: Yvette1234 Post Number: 3 Registered: 01-2007 |
How many coffee shops are currently on the Main Street strip...Starbucks, Caribou and Sweetwaters? I love Sweetwaters! It's seems that Java Hutt's two locations are doing fine (Ferndale and Birmingham). | ||
Darwinism Member Username: Darwinism Post Number: 583 Registered: 06-2005 |
Java Hutt's Birmingham location has become MobileLounge since Sep/Oct 2006. In fact, MobileLounge is expanding fast into Oakland Mall and elsewhere due to the financial support and being bankrolled by Wireless Giant. It is increasingly difficult for sole proprietor coffee houses to succeed. | ||
Chitaku Member Username: Chitaku Post Number: 1054 Registered: 03-2006 |
I say put a big boy downtown! | ||
Middleageguy Member Username: Middleageguy Post Number: 1 Registered: 01-2007 |
we had a "Blend" open here in Lexington Ky last fall, and it closed in 2 weeks....doubt it even had any customers. Overextended? Greedy? Name some other retail chains that boomed quickly, then crashed. Didn't Federals do this? | ||
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar Post Number: 438 Registered: 01-2006 |
Anyone want to go 50/50 with me and open a Beaners downtown? | ||
Canuckr Member Username: Canuckr Post Number: 48 Registered: 02-2005 |
We need a Tim Hortons downtown! | ||
Texorama Member Username: Texorama Post Number: 3 Registered: 12-2006 |
There are ladders and dropcloths inside the former Compuware Blend. Too early to tell who it is, and the Shoe Doctor didn't know, either. Glad to see them, though. | ||
Formerspringgardener Member Username: Formerspringgardener Post Number: 19 Registered: 07-2006 |
A new coffee place is set to open early next week. | ||
Tetsua Member Username: Tetsua Post Number: 1062 Registered: 01-2004 |
I'll miss the smoothies at the blend, I have a taste for those every now and then. | ||
Jdkeepsmiling Member Username: Jdkeepsmiling Post Number: 153 Registered: 01-2006 |
Anyone ever had a smoothie from Jamba Juice in Chicago???? I wish they would open some locations in Metro D. | ||
Windexgirl Member Username: Windexgirl Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2006 |
JD - I had smoothies at Jamba Juice in LA and Vegas, they were terrific! Well it seems that the Blend location in the Compuware building will be re-opening as another coffee shop: Expected to open January 30 at 6:30 a.m., Janet’s Java will operate Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Janet’s will also be open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays and for special events like the upcoming Winter Blast. | ||
Mcwalbucksnfitch Member Username: Mcwalbucksnfitch Post Number: 36 Registered: 10-2006 |
I'll second..or err Third that on Jamba Juice...nothing like sitting in the Hancock Plaza cooling off with one on a summer afternoon... | ||
Jdkeepsmiling Member Username: Jdkeepsmiling Post Number: 154 Registered: 01-2006 |
Cranberry Craze......mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm |
