Espresso Royale has gone out of business
One of the early predictions people smarter than myself made early in the pandemic was that local businesses and/or mini-chains were going to be hollowed out and only the large national chains were going to survive, especially in the food service industry. This proved true quicker than I thought it would.
I spent many a weekend studying downstairs at the Espresso Royale on South U. While the central campus area isn't hurting for Starbucks and other caffeine options, there's something inherently sad about this and I hope (despite my own expectations) that this does not become the norm. One of the many things I love about Ann Arbor are the local, funky spots for unique food and drink, and I would be devastated to see those all replaced by Applebees over the next decade.
Mean Joe's mom.
It’s a shame the government couldn’t save a business like this that will eventually close up. One that’s on its way out. ?
That’s the one near me as well. My Dad will probably still rent there once the pandemic passes. Also, how many dentists offices are on that street? Ever notice?
May not have had great coffee but still sad. Been there as long as I can remember.
I've probably had a dozen meetings, office hours, class projects, and interviews at Espresso Royale over the past couple years. When you needed to meet with people, it was the place to do it.
I hope something with that same college-town feel replaces it.
Espresso Royale was the first coffee shop I (LSA/English '93) ever frequented. Was introduced to it in 1990 by a graduate assistant who held his office hours there. Very sad news.
Yeah... loved that place. Didn't love that they served coffee in tall glasses, which was weird. You'd scald your hand before you could get it to your table.
First place I ever had espresso as an undergrad in 1987, shortly after Espresso Royale opened. There are other purveyors around, as the OP pointed out; but this place will always have a special place in my heart.
Sad news. Lots of memories.
That sucks. Always preferred getting coffee there over Starbucks on my way to class.
Sorry to see it go....When I worked at Pizza Bobs we would trade shakes for coffees and ojs all the time. They would throw in a lot of their snacks too. Guess those didn’t sell very well....
Very sad to hear this. A latte from Espresso Royale was an affordable treat for me during my impoverished law school days. I loved the non-chain vibe of the place, and always paid a visit when I was in Ann Arbor. I will miss it!
I'm old. When Drake's closed it was incredibly depressing. The number of chains on campus is a bummer. These mom and pop places make give the town a certain character.
Still depressed about Drakes. Would do almost anything to have another grilled pecan roll or a limeade. Or to be 19 again for a couple of months during a summer in Ann Arbor.
Drake's, Steve's Lunch, Pizza House when it was just a wood frame single story (my roommate worked there and brought home all the chipati bread that didn't quite make the grade), the bagel place with Fragels, Olga's. Is Blue Front still there? I miss the old days.
Wow. I went there all the time . . . that sucks. I hope at least their coffees will still be available.
Sad. First place I ever had a latte...
Gone the way of Drake's, Micky Rats, Pinball Focus, Joe's, the Orient Pool Room...
Pinball Pete's or Double Focus....I don't remember a Pinball Focus.
Focus was corner of William and State.
Was in the space that became the comic book store.
Not sure what it is now.
Youngins. In my day it was the Crosseyed Moose, Tommy's Holiday Camp and Flipper McGee's.
I used to play some at the Crosseyed Moose back in the day as well!
Then I'd stop at Make Waves and check out the imports!
I can't remember studying once on a weekend. That might explain a lot of things post-college.
Ah bummer. Sad to see this.
I was in some BS psychology class (no offense to the psych majors out there but the entry level required classes for LS&A were pretty meh) and asked this girl to study that I really liked who was also in that class. So we study for an hour or two for an upcoming exam, I walk her out and walk her to her car - for some reason she drove there - and she walks to a brand new Range Rover. I ask her out. She politely declines my offer of a date and I walk, in the freezing cold, to my rusty old Taurus parked 2 cars away.
Ehh... I'm still irritated Espresso Royale replaced the South U. Cava Java.
Ahhh, Cava Java. I spent a lot of time there in the early 1990s.
This is like a gut punch. I spent so many hours/dollars at the place during my time in A2 and I associate so many good memories there. I remember my RA introduced us to it and referred to it as "Cafe Pretentious," but I thought it was the perfect place to study, chill, and hang out. I'll miss that place a lot.
It was widely referred to as "Cafe Pretentious" in my undergrad days in the early 90's. What are they going to do with all of the berets in the lost-and-found?
Hmm, by the time I was on campus (late 90s/early 00s) I don't think it was any more or less pretentious than the other coffee shops. Eh, maybe the one on Main St was . . . but that one seemed to be more for townies than students.
Yeah...mid-2000s for me, and it was non-corporate but barely. By the end of my time in A2 in the mid-2010s, I thought of it as the corporate place, and only went to Ambrosia. And now I see it closed! What the fuck!!
WHY ED WHY! WHAT ABOUT JIMMY!
every decision has a host of unintended consequences...some hit home harder than others.
Would go to the plymouth location basically everyday while studying for MCATs and applying for medical school. So bummed this sucks. Nothing can ever replace the ambiance of this place.
These stories are so sad.
Small business has been devastated by this. These are folks that have tried to get off the hamster wheel and live a dream. They often run businesses that are more creative and customer centric. And the provide great jobs.
It’s like a forest fire. We will see new business sprout up but it will take some time.
Aw man, that’s sad. We always called it Depresso Royale
I only went there intermittently during my time in Ann Arbor as I didn’t get into coffee until a few years ago, but I has a lovely honey latte there a couple years ago right before an old friend’s wedding (at the Ruthven Natl History museum!) so I’m glad that I at least got to say a premature goodbye to an icon of the college town I knew.
Its not for me to tell people how to spend their money, especially with so many other important causes right now, but if you have the means and inclination I urge you all to carve out some time to support your local coffee shop by buying beans or even a cup to go.
I understand that there was a sentimental attachment to these businesses but I am a bit surprised that the focus in nearly all the posts was on the effect of the closings on the customers and so few recognized the tragedy for the employees and, even more so, for the owners of these small businesses. Most of them have risked their life's savings and also invested incredible hours of work into the venture.
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