Staff, customers "shocked" by sudden closure of Ann Arbor's Bitty and Beau's Coffee
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) - Ten days after Bitty & Beau's closed its doors on Main Street for renovations, for-lease signs were posted in the storefront's windows on Monday morning.
Commercial real estate firm Colliers confirmed on Monday it is looking for a new tenant to lease the space.
On Oct. 15, staff received an email from the brand's co-owner, Amy Wright.
Wright explained that the store manager decided to leave, and on Oct. 25, the shop would close at the end of the day for renovations.
"As a result, there will be no need to report for shifts after that date," read Wright's email. These improvements will enhance our space and elevate the customer experience, making it even better for our amazing community."
While the space was quickly vacated, renovations never began.
Employee Ken Harrington said the news was a total shock.
"When we found out that they were closing, they said that they were going to move everything out and renovate it," said Harrington. "And when we found out that they did that, all of us were, like, heartbroken and sad and crying. And it's just hard on all of us."
It has also been hard on longtime customers, who said Bitty & Beau's was a light in the community.
"If you're working downtown and you just need a place to stop in and have a meeting, grab a cup of coffee, this was always such a lovely place to be and spend some time, so it was really sad to hear that they were closing," said customer Barb Chaffer Authier.
"They always wrote some little thing on the cup that made your day brighter," said customer Phyllis Goodman, who also volunteers at Ten Thousand Villages next door. "I was glad to see them come; I believe in their mission, and I'm sad to see them go."
Bitty & Beau's has 19 other locations across the country and says it's a "human rights movement disguised as a coffee shop."
Just before 6 p.m. on Monday, Wright sent the following email to employees:
Dear Ann Arbor Team,
I wanted to follow up on our previous message and share an update regarding the future of Bitty & Beau's Coffee in Ann Arbor. After careful consideration, we have made the decision to permanently close the shop on Main Street. This was not an easy choice, but we believe it aligns with our long-term goals and commitment to ensuring the ongoing success of Bitty & Beau's Coffee. We are currently in discussions with a potential operator who is interested in opening a Bitty & Beau's Coffee location in a nearby city. Although these plans are still in the early stages, we will keep you updated if any new opportunities arise that may be of interest to you.
As you move on to your next job, please know that we are happy to provide a letter of recommendation. We hope our time in Ann Arbor has inspired other businesses to consider hiring people with disabilities, and we know that each of you has made an impact in this community and will continue to do great things in the world.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your hard work, passion, and dedication to our mission.
With heartfelt thanks,
Amy Wright