10/08/2026
So—- I did it. I opened this little coffee shop about 6 months ago and it’s been a whirlwind.
Someone said, Angela, just open it— and I did. I needed that push. But there’s so much that’s undone. So much more I envisioned- so much more I wanted to bring to this shop. But alas— I trusted the words — just open it.
And I did!
And you showed up, and we have round bottom cups, and slushies and community! Real community.
We’ve held events from learning to crochet, to movie night, political fund raisers, a pollinator weekend, baby showers, soap making yoga, sound baths and so much more.
And now it’s time- like it’s something really big. Something that’s always been in the vision….but something I’ve had a hard time visualizing enough to present it to me he world.
So here we are—- 6 months in and I’m sharing my passion for art and for supporting local. My bathrooms I made with hopes that we could win the coolest bathrooms in the top of the town for city pulse. Because here’s the deal—- I’m not out here trying to compete for the worlds best coffee—- in fact im not interested in competing with anyone. I built this place for us.
I built this place so women dating women could walk in and not feel like they have to stop holding hands. I built this place so the young woman could cozy up in the orange chairs and drink a cup of coffee with her grandpa, I built this place so my neighbor could bring us beautiful flowers every week right from her garden, I built this place so my trans daughter could see there are people out there who are accepting and care, I built this place because the 11 year old Angela (me) had a place be a girl and proudly display her Jem dolls, I built this place to showcase the amazingness we have right here in this community. I built this for us.
So my marketing budget goes to art—- local artist. If you’ve seen my murals you’ve seen work by your local middle school teacher, another woman who painted her first outside mural in the US, and our bathroom doors. I love art. Good local art…. It’s SO important to creating a thriving community. I hope to be a lightning bolt in Okemos and help bring that here.
And with that I’d like to present my baby— my dream— another big accomplishment for us—- a chance for you to have fun and support local art- local coffee and local community.
I am lucky enough again to work with Tod C Parkhill and Art of Adrienne and all of our supporting staff and friends….
Dr. Eyeballs Put-U-trium
An art installation like no other. We have lights, score cards, fun, 9 holes, black lights, and more.
This is freaking awesome—— and I don’t know any other way to say it.
I am so very proud of what we’ve accomplished here at the coffee shop. And I invite everyone of you to come and check it out.
Yes there is a little fee to pay—- but you are not only playing putt-putt- you are actively participating and supporting something that is bigger than a simple putt putt, something bigger than caffeine (and that’s a hard one to top), something bigger than me and you….. we are making a community, a movement— a connection with our ideas, our values, our dreams and voting with our money to support all of that—- right here in our own back yard.
And with that- on this 6 month anniversary—- I again say welcome to the Okemos Coffee Shop.
Quick thank you to Jenna Joseph for sticking in out with me and closing like a boss! Amanda Berkal for keeping everything straight and moving forward, and my family for maybe not seeing the entire vision….but trusting in it and me.
If you read this entire thing— you a real one king or queen. And I thank you. ☕️💕
(Wrote this post on purpose today because my mvp told me I should write something from the heart. Might crack it open again in 6 months…we’ll see). 💕
