James Oliver Coffee to Open in Detroit Institute of Bagels Site

The good news: There will be coffee and bagels in the space at Michigan and the Lodge this summer.

No, the Detroit Institute of Bagels isn’t returning to Corktown, despite recent buzz. The beloved bagel shop closed in July after seven years, and owner Ben Newman has sold the building and business to James Oliver Coffee Co., The Detroit News reports. Newman shut the shop after a delivery truck mishap caused a power surge, frying the restaurant’s fridge and putting Detroit’s only independently owned bagel shop out of commission. He also cited the pandemic and a desire to spend more time with his family as reasons for closing.

Alas, the former DIB spot will serve as the flagship cafe for family-owned James Oliver, operated by owners David Shock and Miranda Clark, daughter and son-in-law of the company’s founder and namesake. James Oliver Clark, known as Jim, started his roasting company with his wife, Annie, in New Hampshire in 1995. He will stay on as a consultant.

As for the menu, besides coffee, bagels, and bagel sandwiches, there will be an espresso bar, tea, and a pour-over station.

“We’re working out the details on that ... so you can have a bagel, you can have a coffee and a glass of wine,” Shock, a Detroit native with experience at roasters Great Lakes and Germack, told the News.

Gerard + Belevender

Last year, Shock told Eater that the company planned to open a cafe on Gratiot in McDougall-Hunt, but the couple pivoted once the DIB space became available.

The couple expects to open within two months. Meanwhile, coffee drinkers can find James Oliver coffee at Alma Kitchen, Cannelle, the Great Commoner, Honest John’s, Spot Lite, and several other locations in Metro Detroit.

James Oliver Coffee Co., 1236 Michigan Avenue, www.jamesolivercoffee.com

• James Oliver Coffee Co. [Official]
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