Mocha Monkey Cafe opens on Carpenter Road
Mocha Monkey Cafe is open on Carpenter Road in Pittsfield Township. It's the third coffee shop that has opened in that location.
Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com
This is the third coffee shop to move in to the retail strip at 2871 Carpenter Road, but Jamal Abusway, co-owner, thinks his café has something the former coffee houses did not.
“I’m excited to offer a locally owned, quality alternative to the drive-thru coffee chains, where people can gather and enjoy healthier food and beverages with friends,” Abusway said.
Abusway has owned three other cafes in Washtenaw County, including Backdoor Café in Saline and Sway in Ypsilanti.
Co-owner Jamal Abusway wants to offer a quality alternative to chain coffee shops.
Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com
The cafe also specializes in soups, sandwiches and “morning starters,” like bagels, muffins and and Mediterranean pastries from New Yasmeen Bakery in Dearborn.
Prices for menu items tend below comparable items at larger chain cafes. A house coffee $1.85, smoothies are $3.75 and sandwiches are $5.25, served with chips or fruit.
The cafe opened on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day. As tribute, there is a heart-shaped wall mural where patrons are invited to come in and add the word for “peace” in any language.
The cafe’s grand opening will take place on April 1, the “41 on 4/1 event” will feature free baked good samples and a free drip coffee for the first 41 customers of the day.
Mocha Monkey is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Angela Smith is a freelance reporter. Reach the AnnArbor.com business desk at business@annarbor.com.
Comments
Jeff Wendel
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 3:14 p.m.
mmm sounds amazing
Angela Smith
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 2:36 a.m.
As requested, a few further details about the location: Here's a link to a map showing the address on the east side of the street, north of Packard. http://maps.yahoo.com/#tt=&q=2871+Carpenter+Rd%2C+Ann+Arbor%2C+MI+48108-1163&conf=1&start=1&lat=42.246086&lon=-83.680336&zoom=17&mvt=m&trf=0 The commercial strip is a small one,holding King Shing, Fantastic Sams's, Mancino's, and other small retail shops, as mentioned by other commenters. It's across from White Castle, and opposite the plaza anchored by Kroger and CVS.
dading dont delete me bro
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 1:24 a.m.
the map link still isn't working
golfer
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 5:27 p.m.
every one that said getting in and out will be tough is right. good luck
Blueeyez
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 5:14 p.m.
King shing is not the only good place in this strip mall. How can you forget about Mancinos? Seriously, the best grinders in town. And it has been there for about 25 years.! 5 dollar grinders on Mondays!
avida2reader
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 3:13 p.m.
The 1st coffee shop to occupy the space was Espresso Royale. If they couldn't make it I don't see what miracle will occur this time. Especially after coffee shop #2 failed so quickly. The main issue with that strip mall is that it's totally run down and clearly not being taken care of by the owners. And it's in a horrible location - who wants to have to stop near that intersection if they don't have to. If it weren't for the takeout Chinese place King Shing the whole strip would close down.
CountyKate
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 2:12 p.m.
Giving us an address without a map link isn't a big help. Most of us don't know the building numbers along Carpenter. Which strip mall is this in? What businesses are around us? What was in this space before? Give us SOMETHING so we can orient ourselves.
widmer
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 8:40 p.m.
Learn to use googlemaps, it's much better than all these random imbedded maps widgets like what you're asking for: maps.google.com
thehawk
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 4:59 p.m.
It's in the first group of buildings north of Packard on the right-hand side of Carpenter Rd: http://goo.gl/maps/iWzQB
Arieswoman
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 1:14 p.m.
@SonnyDon09 So true! I totally agree. Yesterday this driver was trying to make a left out of the Speedway Station and all the traffic on Packard. That should not be allowed.
Napalm.Morning
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 2:37 p.m.
methinks its an unconscious sense of selfish entitlement. . ."hey there's pavement between where I am and where I want to go. . . I am entitled to maneuver my vehicle on that pavement". . . what is really ironic is that THEY will, most likely, complain about all the traffic (with the right of way) who won't get out of their way.
a2cents
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 2:24 p.m.
Putting up a sign forbidding left turns virtually assures noncompliance. The intersection of Arch and Packard is a money-maker for AA.
Arieswoman
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 10:49 a.m.
Part of the problem is getting into and out of that mall.
dading dont delete me bro
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 1:11 p.m.
need map link
SonnyDog09
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 1:09 p.m.
Right turns. Right turns. Right turns are easy. I've never understood drivers that feel entitled to make left turns in to and out of strip malls without traffic lights. Or, corner gas stations ...
Matt Lang
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 10:15 a.m.
i'm going to open the Cappuccino Capuchin Cafe near them
Billy
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 2:10 p.m.
Well since everyone is throwing their hat in......I'll open up the Granita Gibbon.
Oscar Lavista
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 1 p.m.
I too have plans for a shop in that area. The Macchiato Macaque Cafe. I hope we can coexist.
Chip Reed
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 10:30 a.m.
monkey see, monkey do...