  Detroitmaybe Member Username: Detroitmaybe Post Number: 162 Registered: 03-2008 |
I stopped by the Beans and Bytes Cafe on Woodward and they had a sign outside that said it was closed. I went inside, and the owners were there packing things up and told me they were closing for good. I asked them what happened and they said there were several reasons but, that business was slow. I thought that was so unfortunate considering they were in the heart of Midtown, and provided a much needed service for the WSU and Midtown in general. It was a cross between Starbucks and Kinkos and a great concept! I am so sad to see them go, and so disheartened that they did not get the support they deserved. | ||
English Member Username: English Post Number: 797 Registered: 10-2003 |
I'm so sorry to hear that as well! I waited for quite a while for them to open just before I moved away from Midtown. Losing good and potentially viable city businesses is always sad... | ||
Hunchentoot Member Username: Hunchentoot Post Number: 103 Registered: 03-2005 |
Wow. There is really a huge opportunity for an entrepreneur to really hit one out of the park with the right kind of coffeehouse now that both Beans and Bytes and Amsterdam are gone. | ||
Benjo Member Username: Benjo Post Number: 49 Registered: 02-2007 |
If they would've allowed smoking they probably would've survived | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 4980 Registered: 06-2004 |
doubt it - too many smokers tends to drive away non-smokers most coffee shops don't allow smoking | ||
Detroitduo Member Username: Detroitduo Post Number: 965 Registered: 06-2005 |
I LOVED Amsterdam's coffee, but refused to go, because even 2 minutes in there to wait for my coffee to-go and I smelled like I washed my clothes with cigarette butts. I tried many time the coffee at beans and bytes, but I am sorry, it SUCKED. Admittedly, Cafe de Troit caused me to become a coffee snob. Cafe could MAKE a cuppa-joe! B & B just had a very inferior product and I can only drink so many bad cups. Now Urban Bean? That guy also knows how to serve up some Joe. I hope THAT place sticks around... | ||
Texorama Member Username: Texorama Post Number: 265 Registered: 12-2006 |
Hunchentoot, I agree totally--a great big opportunity. But please, no smoking, or at least a place to get away from the smokers. I did sometimes go to Beans & Bytes, but the vibe was off somehow. I miss Cafe de Troit (Lee P., are you, your fabulous coffee, and your honeyed Alabama accent out there??? the time is now!•••• | ||
Hans57 Member Username: Hans57 Post Number: 320 Registered: 05-2006 |
I worked at Beans and Bytes for over two years; I can say the owner was the worst employer I've ever worked for, I'm surprised they lasted that long. Sorry to sound so cynical but the truth is the truth, and yes, the coffee did suck. Sorry again, that may have been my fault... | ||
Andylinn Member Username: Andylinn Post Number: 985 Registered: 04-2006 |
I am sorry to see Beans and Bytes go, but in all honesty, it was not my favorite place. I went there a number of times, but I never felt "at home" there. Amsterdam, that THAT was a coffee shop - and a great loss. Beans and Bytes was just lacking a nice decor, sorry to hear it, but it wouldn't have lasted even just a few months in any other city. We have Urban Bean downtown and soon Urban Grounds in Eastern Market... I I would bet goo money that mercury coffee bar will be awesome. | ||
Jfried Member Username: Jfried Post Number: 1197 Registered: 11-2003 |
Andy - do you know when Urban Grounds will be opening? ps. about 95% of the people who have been in my office the last week love your record clock that I bought from Bureau. you best plan on uping production on those! | ||
Fishtoes2000 Member Username: Fishtoes2000 Post Number: 650 Registered: 06-2005 |
Is Urban Grounds that place south of Gratiot near Chene? Don't forget Cafe con Leche in the Mexicantown Welcome Center and the Jazzy Cafe. If you haven't had the key lime cheesecake at the latter, you're missing out. | ||
Andylinn Member Username: Andylinn Post Number: 987 Registered: 04-2006 |
Jfried, thank you so much for the kind words, and for supporting city bird! We actually have some pretty cool (my unbiased opinion) products coming out this holiday season, including new jewelery, and detroit architecture and historical figure items, so check out our website for updates! For clocks, if you would like another, Claire at Bureau (a wonderful store) stocks them frequently, as does Naka in Ferndale, and of course, the clocks are also on our site: http://www.ilovecitybird.com In regards to Urban Grounds, from what I hear, it will begin operation within a week or two (next to the Good Girls Go To Paris Crepes market booth, BTW) | ||
Chitaku Member Username: Chitaku Post Number: 2124 Registered: 03-2006 |
Mercury coffee bar will be opening in Sept | ||
Zephyrprocess Member Username: Zephyrprocess Post Number: 638 Registered: 08-2006 |
<sigh> I used to work up the block from Beans & Bytes, enjoyed stopping in, liked the staff--even purchased one of the paintings they were showing. Of course, I got laid off in May; I'm sure that's what tipped the balance from black to red ink... | ||
Lefty2 Member Username: Lefty2 Post Number: 1951 Registered: 07-2007 |
Starbucks, Amsterdams, now B&B, jeez. Maybe have a Hooters type coffee joint, that will wake up em up and keep em coming. | ||
Detroitduo Member Username: Detroitduo Post Number: 968 Registered: 06-2005 |
Texorama: Café is doing fine, but no longer lives in Detroit, nor will she be coming back. Her Café days are over, now. she has a family. btw, I completely forgot to give a shout out to Jazzy Cafe! He also knows how to make a great Capu. GREAT cafe, too. thanks for reminding me. | ||
Vantanna Member Username: Vantanna Post Number: 17 Registered: 08-2007 |
Too Bad to hear that about B&B. | ||
Nuclearxwinter Member Username: Nuclearxwinter Post Number: 56 Registered: 11-2005 |
Where is the Mercury coffee bar going to be located? I need coffee! | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 2262 Registered: 05-2005 |
nuclearxwintre, it's at 14th and michigan, across from slows and they are working on it like crazy to get it open | ||
Nuclearxwinter Member Username: Nuclearxwinter Post Number: 57 Registered: 11-2005 |
Oh, yeah! I knew that I had seen that place somewhere. | ||
6nois Member Username: 6nois Post Number: 734 Registered: 11-2006 |
The place was a mess. Thats all I have to say. So as far as a lost business its not good, but really it wasn't a good business so it was to be expected. Items ran out all the time and the coffee was never good, think Dennys or greasy spoon. | ||
Newlaster Member Username: Newlaster Post Number: 256 Registered: 06-2004 |
I loovvveeed Amersterdam. As for Beans and Bytes... well.. They were a coffee shop and they knew NOTHING about coffee. Seriously, they used pre-weighed PRE-GROUND coffee to brew in the store. Really. | ||
Spaceboykelly Member Username: Spaceboykelly Post Number: 304 Registered: 04-2005 |
Their coffee was no good. They did not use real espresso and their brand of pre-ground beans was Paramount which ironically (because of the post 2 posts above me) is the same brand that Denny's uses. |
