Kava House 20th Anniversary 02

The former Kava House in Grand Rapids's Eastown neighborhood will reopen in May 2016 as Early Bird, a joint venture between Rowster Coffee and Chef Joel Wabeke. (Cory Morse | MLive.com)

(CORY MORSE)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A new eatery is on track to open in May in the former Kava House in Eastown.

Rowster Coffee is teaming up with chef Joel Wabeke to open Early Bird Food and Drink at 1445 Lake Dr. SE.

A lot like Kava House, Early Bird is going to be neighborhood focused and low-key, says Stephen Curtis, vice president of Rowster Coffee, a popular coffee supplier with a storefront at 632 Wealthy St. SE and roasting operation on the city's Southwest Side.

"We love this spot because it's in an active community with a diverse population filled with families, college students, young and old," Curtis said. "What Eastown needs is a neighborhood hub for residents to grab their morning coffee and a quick bite, meet up with friends for lunch, or just sit and sip on a latte while working on homework or emails and it is our goal to provide that location for the community."

Curtis has been the face of Rowster, since taking over its shop in 2006, and growing the business into its current expanded quarters in 2010.

He takes pride that Rowster was the first shop in Michigan to offer only pour over coffee and becoming one of the first Level 1 Barista Guild of America certified baristas.

Rowster-supplied coffee options will range from grab-and-go brewed coffees to craft espresso drinks. Wabeke's dishes will feature breakfast sandwiches made with homemade sourdough English muffins and Japanese milk bread. Lunch options will include grain-based salads and vegetable-filled soups.



Wabeke began his career working in several local Grand Rapids restaurants ranging from Gaia to Gibson's before attending the Culinary Institute of America in New York. His resume includes stints at The Fat Duck and The Hinds Head in London, Balena in Chicago, JW Marriott's six.one.six in downtown Grand Rapids, Terra in Eastown and most recently as chef de cuisine for Wright and Company in Detroit.

Kava House, a well-known coffee shop in the Eastown neighborhood, closed Nov. 20 after 23 years. Owners, mother and daughter Pam Murray and Leigh Vander Molen, sold the location to Rowster and Wabeke.

Early Bird's operating hours are expected to be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Shandra Martinez covers business and other topics for MLive. Email her or follow her on Twitter @shandramartinez.