Coffee chain to open shop in downtown Flint

Category: Uncategorized

Posted by James M. Miller | The Flint Journal December 05, 2007 08:49AM

FLINT — Melissa Jordan of Grand Blanc plans to open a Biggby Coffee Shop franchise in downtown Flint in February, in the former Classic Tailor building.

And then more.

“I want to open five in Genesee County,” Jordan said. “I want one in Grand Blanc.” The Lansing-based company, formerly known as Beaner’s Coffee, announced this fall that it was changing its name to Biggby.

It has several locations in Lansing, East Lansing, Grand Rapids and other Michigan cities.

Jordan sold a title company and decided to go into the coffee business.

She said she decided to open the first one in downtown Flint after hearing about how the central business district is being revitalized.

After the University of Michigan-Flint dormitory, which is under construction, opens next year and there are more people living downtown, the area will be more active on weekends and in the evening than it is now, Jordan said.

The Classic building on S. Saginaw Street is being rebuilt and remodeled to create a space for the new coffee shop.

The building’s owner, Nick Singelis, also plans to construct a building in the vacant lot next door, and said a new restaurant in that building will share a plaza with the Biggby Coffee shop.

Singelis has some ideas for new activities that could use the plaza or be held in the alley, and bring people downtown on weekends. Singelis said the Classic building and the new structure both will have office space available on their second floors.

“We’re hoping that they will be coffee drinkers,” Jordan said.

Jordan said Biggby will have Internet access, a fireplace and flat-screen television and will sell bagels, bagel sandwiches, scones, muffins and cookies.

Her sister, Christina Bray, will help her run the shop.

Jordan said she plans to hire about 30 people, and the shop will be open 6 a.m.-7 p.m. daily.

Jordan said she plans to begin interviews in January.

Those interested can send resumes to store245@biggby.com and or by fax to (810) 603-0172.