Grosse Pointe News

Sean Cotton, Owner • Anne Gryzenia, Publisher • Jody McVeigh, Editor In Chief • Meg Leonard, Senior Editor

16980 Kercheval Pl. • Grosse Pointe, Michigan 48230 • 313.882.6900 • Monday-Friday 9am-4pm

Help ‘Raise the Roof’ on Michael B’s CafeFree Access

Wine, Women & Song fundraiser is Feb. 9

Alicia Carlisle’s vision is clear. She can see it plain as day: a bustling atmosphere, the aroma of rich coffee and buttery pastries, cheerful exchanges between eager customers and a dedicated staff.
Carlisle knows exactly what one can expect when they walk through the doors of Michael B’s Cafe, anticipated to open next year in Grosse Pointe Park.
“They’ll find the warmest, most welcoming cafe they’ve ever walked into,” she said of the future business, which will employ adults with special needs to enhance their sense of self-worth and respect through meaningful work and cooperative relationships. “It’s going to be so special. I doubt this will happen, but (customers) might have to wait an extra minute for a cup of coffee — but they won’t care. Or maybe their cake will be a little lopsided, but they won’t care. Because everything will be made with love.”

Courtesy rendering
Plans for Michael B’s Cafe feature a main floor coffee shop and bakery, while the upper level will offer meeting spaces for businesses and nonprofits.

To kick off fundraising efforts for the project, Carlisle is hosting Wine, Women & Song at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, at Cabbage Patch Saloon, 15130 Mack, Grosse Pointe Park.
“It’s a gathering of wonderful women — entertainers and comedians,” she said. “It’s a women’s event, though men are welcome. We’ll charge them a little bit more to be one of the girls for the night. Then we’re having a men’s event in March, for March Madness, where we’ll charge the women a little bit more to be one of the guys for the night.”
The February event also will include wine, hors d’oeuvres and an auction.
“We’ll start auctioning off the ability to ‘purchase’ different parts of the building,” Carlisle explained. “It will be a nice night for women to get together, see old friends and make new ones.”
A big fundraiser in June will feature Fleur Seule, “the No. 1 band in New York,” Carlisle said. “They just performed at Carnegie Hall and they performed at Brad Pitt’s movie premier for ‘Babylon.’”
Later in the summer, building demolition takes place, followed by around one year of new construction. Jeff Russell is the general contractor, Erik Heiderer the architect.
Carlisle’s goal is to raise $3 million for the project. The fundraising events, she explained, not only are meant to raise money, but also awareness for the project.
Michael B’s Cafe is named for Carlisle’s 26-year-old son, who has autism. The Grosse Pointe South High School graduate and current college student “doesn’t let the stereotypical restrictions of autism stand in his way,” according to the cafe website. “He forges his own path in life and does it all with a smile and innate kindness. The cafe is a dream come true for Michael B. He is proud to be a part of an organization that employs individuals like himself who simply need an opportunity to show their worth.”
Carlisle said she’ll have work for anyone who’s interested.
“If someone walks into the cafe, we will find a job for them,” she said. “Whether they can work five minutes a day, once a week, once a month or they want to be there all the time, we will find something that works for them.
“… I want to create a safe place for people who have special challenges to work and contribute and educate the community so they see how valuable everybody is,” she added.
The cafe will come to life through collaborations with the Full Circle Foundation and Coffee Connecting Communities. Full Circle works in conjunction with the Grosse Pointe Public School System to provide opportunities for increased independence for individuals with special needs. Through coffee sales, Coffee Connecting Communities provides assistance to help save the silverback gorilla, as well as sustain the homes, hearts and habitats of frontline farming communities who live in UNESCO-designated heritage sites near the gorilla habitat.
“Wherever we can partner with someone where we’re able to give back, we’ll do it with this,” Carlisle said. “When we sit down and talk about what we can do with this cafe, it’s overwhelming. There are so many great opportunities to do things.”
Apart from the coffeehouse and bakery aspect, the upper level of the two-story building will include event space for classes or meetings.
Carlisle said she is grateful for the support she’s received from Grosse Pointe Park Mayor Michele Hodges, City Manager Nick Sizeland and Public Safety Director Bryan Jarrell, as well as a host of community members.
“I’ve got the best people in the community coming together to make this happen,” she said. “Everybody’s ready to help. … All the wheels are in motion. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes, but we’re all moving forward.”
The Feb. 9 fundraiser is just the start, she said. Tickets for the event are $100 each and may be purchased online at michaelbcafe.com.
“There are so many ways people can be a part of this,” Carlisle said. “If you can’t contribute now, you can walk in and buy a cup of coffee tomorrow.”