Photo Credit: Joe Matteson Photography

Foster Coffee, an Owosso-based coffee roasting company will be the first tenant on the Albert Avenue side of the new downtown development known as Center City.

The coffee shop, expected to open in 2019, will be located directly across from 7-Eleven and adjacent to the entry for the Newman Lofts. The Newman Lofts are the section of the Center City development reserved for rental by tenants 55 and up.

Foster Coffee, which also operates a coffee shop in Flint, prides itself on “Fostering Community,” and lists dozens of corporate and non-profit “Partnerships” on their website.

According to Foster co-founder Nicholas Pidek, the company’s emphasis on the concept of community “extends to where we purchase our goods, collaborations with other businesses, and partnering with non-profits to help them achieve their mission within the region.”

“Our mission goes beyond craft coffee,” said Pidek. “We strive to create a collaborative environment for the community through building relationships, listening to the people, and partnering with organizations and businesses to make a collective positive impact. We look for people and projects, like Center City with Harbor Bay, that reflect the spirit of collaboration with opportunities to continue transforming the city."

Two of the three business partners behind Foster Coffee Company, Pidek and Jonathan Moore, are friends and former bandmates who used to tour with the band sosaveme. The third partner, Jonathan Williams is a relocated Texan who joined the team after being “inspired by their vision,” according to the company’s website.

In a press release announcing the new tenant, Mark Bell, President & CEO of Harbor Bay Real Estate said, “We knew from the onset that Foster Coffee would provide the experience and coffee that our tenants and community members would enjoy.”

Bell explained that national brands had been interested in the spot, but that Harbor Bay’s research indicated a Michigan-based company would be better received by area residents.

“We underwent an extensive search, together with interviews, in order to identify the perfect fit. Foster Coffee exceeded our expectations,” said Bell.

The new location will put Foster Coffee Company kitty-corner from the new location of another Mid-Michigan coffee business, Blue Owl Coffee, which is planning to open in December of this year.

Pidek told ELi “We’re thrilled that Blue Owl is expanding and coming to East Lansing. We have a long history with [Blue Owl co-owner] Nick Berry in the music world before we both got into coffee, and we’re looking forward to joining the coffee scene in EL with them.”

According to Pidek the East Lansing location won’t be limited to coffee.

“We make a large portion of our menu in-house, including our Chai, syrups, almond milk, and more. Along with a wide range of pour over coffee, espresso, lattes, and tea, we will also feature baked goods, breakfast items, and grab-n-go items. We’ve already begun talking with some local bakers in the Lansing area for collaborating on some unique items.”

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