Story by Stephanie Workman, Reporter
Photo Courtesy of Stephanie Workman

Everyone’s favorite Eastown coffee shop, Kava House, has now permanently closed – so now what? Luckily for us, Grand Rapids has a slew of unique cafes, each with its own unique vibe and specialty drinks to make sure you stay happy and caffeinated.

Just a few blocks west of campus is the Common Ground Coffee House located on Fulton. It has a great study atmosphere, with plenty of room to spread out and make yourself comfortable while hitting the books. The large drink menu rotates, with specialty drinks with themes anywhere from Harry Potter to the Spice Girls. Common Ground also features a great food menu, offering its patrons some delectable pastries from Schnitz Deli as well as a sandwich menu, in case you might need a little more to eat.

The Sparrows is another cafe worth checking out – its inviting, cozy atmosphere makes it the perfect place to grab a cup of coffee while catching up with a friend. Located in a historic building on Wealthy, they brew Madcap coffee and offer 50+ varieties of loose-leaf teas. The Sparrows works with 11 Michigan-based vendors, and has a number of baked goodies from Field & Fire, GR Bagel, and Wednesday Evening Cookies for your snacking needs. If you’re looking for a good read to go along with your latte, there’s a whole wall of magazines for purchase. The Sparrows is a sweet little place with a unique atmosphere and friendly baristas, so be sure to check it out!

If you’re searching for a great place located downtown, check out Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge. On the corner of Commerce and Oakes, Lantern serves up Populace coffee and has a  selection of bagels and scones from GR Bagel, as well as delicious vegan treats from Wednesday Evening Cookies.  The downstairs area is warm and inviting, with a seating arrangement that’s great whether you want to curl up in a comfy chair with a good book, have a coffee with a friend, or get some serious studying done. Just like AQ, Lantern Coffee is dedicated to being waste free, and encourages you to bring your own travel mugs, or bring back your disposable cups to be composted.

If you’re partial to the Heritage Hill district, head over to Lyon Street Cafe. Opened just over a year ago right next to Martha’s Vineyard, Lyon Street brews pour over Madcap coffee and also offers a great selection of baked treats from neighboring Nantucket Baking Company. The natural light and clean lines, along with the friendly staff, make this a perfect place to stop in so you can get out of the cold.

Although you might think that nothing could stand up to the late and great Kava House, you might just find the brew you were looking for at these unique places. All of these shops are open until at least 10:00 P.M. during the week, so if you’re looking for a new study spot, try checking out a new cafe today.