Your favorite season is finally here--school is in session, routines are back in place, and the weather is beginning to settle to its most beautiful, calming state. Want to know what can make this autumnal nostalgia feel even more exciting than ever? Grabbing a latte at The Plymouth Coffee Bean Co., located in the heart of Downtown Plymouth, Michigan.
Known to be Michigan's longest-running independent coffee house, this cozy cafe grounded its roots back in May of 1993 and has been the epicenter of caffeine, culture, and creativity in Southeast Michigan ever since.
From their coffee to their made from scratch crepes, this place has such a calming, home-like feeling that is so hard to part ways from during the season. The Bean, as the locals refer to it, has plenty of options to choose from; whether it be 45 flavored syrups for lattes, cappuccinos, and teas, an extensive tea list that goes beyond one's imagination, seven different daily brews sitting available for self-service, or a plethora of gluten-free and dairy-free bakery options thanks to Rumi's Passion, this place is as unique and niche as it gets.
The walls of this 100-year-old building are plastered in local art from greats such as Tony Roko and Pete Mundt. The wooden floors are worn from the shoes of people's stories, dancing, and memories that will last a lifetime. During the day, the air echoes the laughter of children, business calls, and keyboards clicking from people studying and creating content. If you're lucky enough to stop in on a Monday or Saturday evening, you'll be graced with music from local aspiring musicians, original sets from promising comedians, and the most moving poetry you'll have ever stumbled upon from writers alike.
For the past 26 years, the Plymouth Coffee Bean has been handcrafted by the community that surrounds it; simultaneously, the Bean has crafted the community that surrounds it as well. The Bean has seen gatherings of different cultures, weddings from those who have met and fallen in love there, and the dreams of the artists sparked into tangible reality. There are even locals with tattoos they've gotten as a homage to their love and experiences in this homely social hub.
As someone who has been a patron here since my early teen years and who now currently works here, I can honestly say that Plymouth Coffee Bean is something magical and unlike any other. For myself, this place brings me home when mine is broken. I feel like my most confident self here thanks to the support, inspiration, and camaraderie of the community that has been built here.
This community of the Bean livens up during the fall season, with themed events like open mic, pumpkin painting, and other creative interactions put on by the owners, the Hynes family. As the weather chills, the espresso machines and steam wands fire up to give you the best handcrafted drinks in town. Voted "Best Hot Chocolate" by local news sources in the area, nothing beats a steaming mix of their Ghirardelli chocolate and breve concoction cup of love after a long, hard day of class. Looking to fill up before bracing the bite of the air? Grab one of many "build-your-own" sweet and savory crepes made by hand from their locally trained crepe chefs and prepare yourself for a plateful of carefully crafted flavor. The staff at the Bean are some of the kindest, most friendly folk you'll ever meet as well, and would be delighted to say hello and make your day.
To some, there's always the option of going to another coffee shop like Starbucks or Tim Horton's just down the road. For many, this is the home they've always wanted, and know that they can find comfort for a few hours of their day if needed. Customers and owners alike have spent years building the Plymouth Coffee Bean up to what it is now, and in return, the Bean has been building love, relationships, and community to give back for years and years to come. When you stop in, it's not just for a drink--you're stopping in for an experience.
