Coffee. That’s right, that beautiful, warm, happy drink that makes waking up in the morning bearable and studying late into the night possible. Being a huge fan of coffee, I have tasted many a cup. Some have been good and some very, very bad.
It was not until I walked into the charming café of B-24’s: Espresso Bar that I had ever tasted a cup of coffee that is comparable to an explosion of heavenly delight mixed with sinful pleasure.
When I first walked into B-24’s, I was immediately greeted by the friendly manager Rebecca Manney. Manney has worked at B-24’s since its opening on February 18th of 2011, and at Bombadill’s before that.
“I was a customer at Bombadill’s and then worked there,” Manney explained. “Tom and Martha Rumford own the building, and when Bombadill’s left, the other staff and I were so sad. Tom and Martha decided to open up B-24’s, because they knew it was good to have a coffee shop here.”
The Rumfords were probably right, seeing as B-24’s is at 217 West Michigan Avenue, right around the corner from Eastern Michigan University (a campus filled with
caffeine-crazed students).
According to Manney, B-24’s references the B-24 fighter planes that were in mass production at Willow Run airport. Due to the large amount of planes being made at the Willow Run plant, there was also high employment. This led to the naming of the pleasant café, since almost every customer who comes in knows of someone who worked at the plant. As Manney said, “It’s an important part of this city’s culture.”
The customer/employee relationship at B-24’s is more than just connections between people who lived in the area during World War II.
Manney said, “Whenever I have to hire a new employee, I tell them that we have the best customers ever!”
B-24’s does other things to try to keep their customers coming and bring in new
people. For instance, they are adding new items to the menu. For a business that prides itself with, “We try to keep it simple but really good,” and having all its food made on the premise, it’s important any new recipes stick to the expected quality. Manney thinks, “Keeping the menu current means working with changes.
Taking risks.”
There’s also free (and fast) Internet access at B-24’s. The Espresso Bar joins in with the rest of Downtown Ypsilanti’s “Wireless Ypsi” by providing its own Internet that makes Wi-Fi accessible for most of the nearby businesses. According to Manney, this means that multiple laptops, smart phones and other internet devices can be running within the complex without interfering with each other’s Internet speed or connection.
B-24’s wouldn’t be a local hot spot without entertainment. Though the café is a
great place to spend a peacefully quiet Saturday morning, there’s also a plasma screen television hanging in the corner for watching local sports games, news or whatever the customers ask for at the time. For those prefer music rather than TV, every Friday night from 7-9 p.m. is Live Music Night.
Interested performers can sign up online at http://b-24s.com/. There’s also Jazz Nights on most Saturdays.
B-24’s is everything an EMU student or Ypsilanti family could want. Between their freshly baked food, ice cream and pop, as well as the amazingly delicious coffee in a pleasant and easily adaptable atmosphere, B-24’s is just short of paradise.
For EMU students, there’s also the Eagle Discount, making this local business
easily affordable. Just remember to bring your school ID with you.
Whether you like to start your day with a cup of coffee and scones or (if your classes are a little later in the day) hot soup and a sandwich, B-24’s is worth getting up for.
