profile piece

and here's the finished product, quotes from the owner included

The Strutt: “More than just coffee” by Lindsey Scarlett

Owner Darren Bain is proud to assert the coffee that they indeed roast themselves at The Strutt is imported directly from a farm in Guatemala. Along with some Kenyan blends, the variety of ground beans can be seen hanging from the ceiling in individual paper bags over the front counter, with their logo “Kalamazoo Coffee Company” printed on each bag. Aside from the tasty selection of café drinks, including “love potion number nine,” and a healthy selection of fruit smoothies and tea, this funky venue on the corner of Academy and Stadium Drive has so much more to offer than just coffee.

The atmosphere could on one hand be described as a peaceful space for studying and relaxing. The antique-looking fireplace, potted plants and trees scattered about the front room, generally low lighting and white Christmas lights lining the perimeter of the room and up the handrail of the narrow staircase to the loft with additional private seating add to the soothing aura. On the other hand, returning patrons experience a new invigorating experience each time they stroll into The Strutt. Colorful T-Shirts for $10 are on a stand at the counter, and another bookshelf is chocked full of brochures for yoga, massage therapy, and couples teambuilding retreats, comic magazines such as “The Watchmen” and “Batman,” along with fantasy novels and board games. Freckled with fliers for upcoming shows, benefit concerts, and nightly specials alternated with an eclectic collection of abstract paintings from local artists and students, the avocado colored walls suggest the artistic taste of the staff.

If the décor won’t do it, the menu certainly confirms the creativity cultivated here. The colossal cup of creamy cocoa, zesty goat cheese salad and the savory chocolate and raspberry “crêpe dolce” were enough to win my heart – and my taste buds. But according to a group of friendly college-aged customers playing monopoly, the Mediterranean Plate, complete with hummus, pita, olives, tomatoes and baba ganoush is a favorite appetizer, and the Pollo pazzo pizza, adorned with blackened chicken, carmelized onions, and three different cheese specimens is nothing less than scrumptious, “it’s hard to just choose one though, all of the pizzas are good.”

But don’t get the wrong impression, this classy joint is the furthest thing from a pizza place. There is an array of panini sandwiches as well, and on the weekends, The Strutt serves equally inventive brunch platters from nine to one alongside local Jazz musicians on Saturdays and a Bluegrass band on Sundays.

When asked where the distinctive menu ideas came from, Bain explains “It’s important to me that the items on our menu are original, because if they weren’t, we’d be outta business.” He shares his dissatisfaction with the taste of the food served at many of the restaurants around town, and gives credit where credit is due to the chefs at The Strutt. “Presentation is one thing, but taste is what makes good food good. Our food kicks the crap out of everywhere else because unlike those other restaurants, we have people who really know what they’re doing in the kitchen.” The fresh herbs used for cooking deserve some credit as well. By the way he described it, it is apparent that he is delighted with the herb garden that’s recently been planted just outside of the shop.

The relaxing food coma you may experience after stuffing yourself with healthy delicious food perfectly compliments what one may experience on a typical night at the bar in the back room of The Strutt. While there are plans in the making of having a Brewery in the basement space, Bain is still trying to gain support from the landlord who owns another brewery in town and is a little weary of the competition that could ensue. “He doesn’t need to be worried, the clientele here are completely different than the crowd at his other brewery, he’ll come around soon though, I can feel it” reports Bain optimistically. Although they don’t brew their own beer quite yet, and that project probably won’t take place for at least another year, the beer and liquor menus behind the counter boast a wide range of drinks, an assortment of more than thirty different beers, plus on tap there is the tried and true Pabst Blue Ribbon, Kalamazoo’s very own Bell’s Oberon, along with three unique brands of beer, “Crooked tree,” “Dragon’s Milk,” and “Rogue Dead Guy Ale.” The colorful and artistic handwriting on the menu is interrupted by a cartoon drawing of a pirate with an eye patch directly under the final selection.

One customer shared her testimony of the time she was actually scolded by Bain for taking an alcoholic beverage outside. “It was shortly after it opened, and there were policemen nearby, so I think he was just under a lot of stress.” But Bain proudly affirms that he’s recently been granted an outdoor liquor license so that from now on, patrons can enjoy their beverages on the fenced in patio just outside of the main entrance of the coffee shop.

On any given night, while indulging in their drink of choice, one can sit back and relax in the smoke-free environment, enjoying live music performances, comedians, or poetry slams that take place on stage at the bar in the back half of the venue which is decorated just as tastefully as the front room. The original brick walls on the interior provides an old-fashioned feeling, complete with gold plated antique mirrors, stained glass hanging lamps and even more original artwork. On some nights, there are minimal cover charges, ranging from $2 to $5, a reasonable price during these hard times to support the artists and the improvement of the establishment. Strutt records is another accomplishment of the company. “The musicians that play here are having CD’s recorded under our label, and it’s been a great investment.” Says Bain. While Kalamazoo, Michigan is the midpoint between Chicago and Detroit, Bain sees potential in the future for hosting nationally known musicians amidst their tours through the Midwest, and since day one, his main focus of The Strutt has always been to create a reputable space for talented local musicians to perform. So far, so good. The musicians that perform represent a mix of all types of genres – no lame cover bands, and no obnoxious karaoke performances here.

Bain has total confidence that The Strutt, formerly known as Ravenwood coffee shop and more recently “Dino’s,” will break the curse of failure that previous owners have encountered due mainly to bad luck. “While Ravenwood & Dino’s weren’t roasting their own coffee, and didn’t have a liquor license, live music or an outstanding menu, they were also plagued with the bad luck of construction on the streets outside of the shop, making it bad for business.” To top it off, The Strutt hosts a Saturday Art Market every week from two to seven p.m. featuring local artists selling crafts, art, jewelry, and much more. Bain hopes to put on an outdoor art festival outside the shop in early June, and is working with the city in hopes of closing off the street for art vendors to show off their work to the greater public.

If these incredibly innovative ideas and entertaining events somehow don’t appeal to you, the little shop on the corner of Academy and Stadium is still a nice place to cozy up with a book on rainy days. The furniture is homey and comfortable, a large kidney shaped leather couch against the bay window closest to the front counter is the perfect spot for playing a game of scrabble with your friends (it’s kept behind the counter, just ask one of the friendly baristas). If you feel that your loyalty to the late Dino’s or Ravenwood is being compromised, don’t worry, you can still sip a delicious fair-trade cup of joe while gazing out the window past the cars whizzing down Stadium at the Burger King across the street