GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Lotus Brew Coffee started as a booth at the Fulton Street Farmers Market. Now, they're getting ready to open up their new, more permanent, location.
"It's been a little bit difficult, but luckily we've had a lot of allies who have been a huge help," said Lotus Brew owner Maxwell Freeman.
The shop moved out of its temporary space last fall with plans to open a new and, larger location. However, Freeman said unexpected delays kept them from opening.
"We didn't really know how long this actual project would take," he said. "We were supposed to open in December of 2023. Unfortunately, there was a lot of stuff that was out of our hands, that we couldn't control."
Now, Freeman and the shop's employees are preparing for a soft opening, and want to make sure they provide a space where LGBTQ+ people feel safe.
"The entire point of the shop, and everything that I'm trying to do is just providing a space for the queer community and all the other amazing communities within Grand Rapids, and we've done an insane job so far of doing our other location," Freeman said.
Lotus Brew Coffee will have a soft opening from July 4 through July 7 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with a grand opening after.
The shop is located at 211 Diamond Avenue South East in Grand Rapids.
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