Coffee shop to open in Capitol Park in September

Dessert Oasis, a Rochester, Michigan-based coffee shop, is expanding into Detroit. The company's second storefront is slated to open in the Albert in Capitol Park this September.

This marks the second retail tenant for the newly-renovated luxury apartment building, the Albert. Detroit Bikes celebrated the grand opening of its flagship store there in May 2015.

Siblings Nathan and Stephanie Hamood opened their first location in Rochester in 2008. The pair stresses quality and fairness in their offerings. Fresh desserts are baked every morning, and coffee beans are obtained from farmers on an individual basis and then roasted on-site. The company was recently recognized for its quality of coffee during the America's Best Espresso Competition at Coffee Fest in Chicago.

"We’re dedicated to providing a community experience and a focus on our craft that you don’t get at large coffee chains," says Dessert Oasis co-founder Nathan Hamood. "We hope to be the first stop in the morning work commute and the evening entertainment destination for many of the people living in or visiting Capitol Park."

Characterizing Capitol Park as an "up and coming community of artists and young professionals," Richard Broder, CEO of Broder & Sachse, the firm responsible for developing the Albert, sees the addition of a coffee shop to the building to be a good fit. The company expects five more tenants will be required to fill the remaining retail space.

Another key component of the Dessert Oasis experience will be live music every night. Stephanie Hamood curates the entertainment, both in Rochester and, eventually, Detroit. She's a musician herself, touring with national acts Nikki Lane and Social Distortion.

In addition to freshly baked desserts, the brother and sister team will offer light lunch items and chocolate and cheese fondues.

Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters will be located in the Albert, 1214 Griswold St.

Writer: MJ Galbraith

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MJ Galbraith is Model D's development news editor. Follow him on Twitter @mikegalbraith.