Espy Café, a new addition to the Ann Arbor coffee market, opened its doors on January 10. Located on West Huron Street, the neighborhood café and bakery is nestled between downtown Ann Arbor and West Park. Some notable nearby landmarks include the Hands On Museum and Kerrytown, making it the perfect place to grab a bite to eat, followed by a stroll through Kerrytown’s charming shopping district.
The story behind the worker-owned café
Founded by Michigan alumni Peter Littlejohn and Sam Schaefer, Espy Café operates with a unique “democratically run” worker-owned model. There is a strict no-tip policy at Espy Café. The five full time staff members at Espy Café all earn equal wages and track hours based on a “sweat equity” system. In other words, the café uses a system similar to “profit-sharing” in which employees have an ownership stake or equity in the business.
Amanda Taylor, one of the staffers at Espy Café, said that something that sets the business apart is “their intentionality.” The café partners with local farms and mills for produce and flour, staff members roast their own coffee beans and even purchase locally-made furniture. Staffers’ opinions are truly valued, and every member equally contributes toward major decisions affecting their workplace. For instance, staffers can voice their opinions on menu additions, events, hours and staffing changes. This model is designed to foster a truly sustainable community-focused business.
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A bohemian industrial vibe
Housed in a former metal shop in downtown Ann Arbor, Espy Café’s interior features a bright, open space lined with long wooden tables and cafeteria-style chairs. The exposed metal ceiling ducts in the dining area give an industrial touch to an otherwise trendy bohemian theme. When I visited in June, each table was decorated with local peony bouquets, and a beautiful flower arrangement graced the cashier counter.
Fresh, local ingredients & a unique menu
Espy Café’s menu boasts fresh, local ingredients. They source their ingredients from area farms: Argus Farm Stop supplies produce and Janie’s Mill supplies grains. Café Espy’s food menu features a rotating seasonal selection. Moreover, there are weekly menu specials, a rotating choice of fruit tarts and dishes featuring local produce and meat. Recent menu specials included rabbit tacos and Concha (Mexican Sweet Buns). There are often exotic choices, including Palestinian Taboon Bread.
During my brunch visit, I selected their specialty sourdough pancakes with the strawberry rhubarb and tart cherry compote add-on for $2. The sourdough pancakes were perfectly moist and tasteful. The “cherry-on-top”, the strawberry rhubarb and tart cherry compote was the perfect blend of sour and sweet. We also ordered a couple of seasonal bakery items on the menu: a Honey Oat Raisin Cookie and a small Palestinian Taboon Bread Roll with olive oil and za’atar.
The beverage menu at Espy Café includes staple coffee drinks: drip coffee, espresso, cappuccinos and lattes. The café offers house-made syrups such as hazelnut orgeat and miel.We ordered a hazelnut orgeat latte and a Miel Latte. The Hazelnut Orgeat Latte was characterized by a nutty, sweet flavor, while the Miel Latte was moderately sweet spiced with a zesty cinnamon flavor. At Espy Café, customers can customize drinks with non-dairy options including Farmer’s Creamery (Grass-fed, vat-pasteurized, Ann Arbor Dairy) or Ope Milk (Oat Milk). Ope Milk is made with local oats and sunflower seeds.
In addition to the regular roster of coffee drinks and bakery items, Espy Café also offers sandwiches, salad, affogatos and home-made ice cream churned by staffer Ellie Choy. Currently, there are three flavors: sweet cream, strawberry swirl and injeolmi (Toasted Soybean).
Future plans
At Espy Café, the community-focused mission and focus on quality, seasonal ingredients is clear. The name of the game at Espy Cafe is fresh, farm-to-table food, an inviting ambience, and a philanthropic mission. Owner Peter Littlejohn shared that the café’s future plans include launching “Crumb Club”, in which customers can pre-order artisan bread loaves, including Palestinian Taboon Bread. Moreover, the cafe hopes to host additional special community-focused events. In May, they hosted their first sold out Spring Dinner, which served a 9-course pre-fixe menu with a wine bar by Spencer. Fueled by passion and a forward-thinking mindset, Espy Café will soon be an Ann Arbor favorite and mainstay in the local Ann Arbor café scene.
404 W Huron St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, Hours: Mon-Sun 8-3, (734) 328-2960
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