Until the Rosa Parks Transit Center becomes operational, Capitol Park will serve as downtown's transit hub -- but Josh Greenwood isn't waiting for that transition to happen to execute his plans. His coffee shop,
Urban Bean Co., is open and serving after taking a quick couple of years of preparation.
UBC, located at the Northwest corner of Griswold and Grand River, is the absolute perfect urban corner bistro. Check the list:
Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Co. drinks, a smart magazine collection, tables and fixtures designed by local artists Jason Huffines and Billy West, a hand-poured
lime green concrete bathroom sink and expansive windows that look upon a neighborhood in transition.
Greenwood is not afraid to go well and beyond the offerings of a typical coffee shop: he throws in a DJ booth as well as a quiet computer room with two flat screen units, offers delivery in the greater downtown area, and sells, well, antacids, cigarettes and cigars.
Why go there? Greenwood is clear on that point. "We have caffeine, nicotine, chocolate, pop, politics, the internet, television and media," he says. "All the stuff that is legally bad for you."
The Urban Bean Co. is located in the former Save the Vinyl record shop. Doors are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Call 313-962-9898 or fax 313-962-9797 for questions or deliveries.
Source: Josh Greenwood, UBC
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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