East Lansing’s GrandRiver Coffee Cafe to close

EAST LANSING – Fans of GrandRiver Coffee Café will have to find another place to get their java fix.

The coffee shop, which opened at 515 W. Grand River Ave. in April 2008, will close on Thursday. It opened in the space of the former CornerStone Coffee, which closed several area locations in March 2008.

Brea Thomas, a manager reached by phone Monday, said GrandRiver owners Ellen and Steve Sawvel plan to retire and move to Traverse City.

Thomas, who said she’s been with GrandRiver Coffee for 10 months, said loyal customers have not taken the news well.

“Some of our regulars have cried. They’re really sad,” she said. “People are definitely not too crazy about the change.”

Thomas said the Sawvels have found a buyer for the building, but she did not know details including whether the space would remain a coffee shop.

The Sawvels, who are East Lansing residents, did not respond to messages left Monday seeking comment.

Ray Walsh, who owns Archives Book Shop next door at 519 W. Grand River, said he plans on remaining in the same location he’s had since 1987. Walsh rents his space from the Sawvels.

He said he’s not yet been told who the new owner is.

GrandRiver Coffee Cafe will be missed, Walsh said, calling it “a very inviting and warm place.”

“We hate to see them go as a coffee shop,” he added. “They were an appealing addition to the community.”