Not since Borders has a retailer founded in Ann Arbor expanded as widely as Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, now with thirty-seven locations in a dozen states.
The latest, in Pierpont Commons on U-M’s North Campus, is a homecoming of sorts for founders Wei and Lisa Bee, who are both U-M alumni, as are their three sons.
Succeeding Hibachi-San, it joins Panda Express and Great Greek Mediterranean Grill in the lower level dining pavilion just in time for the fall term.
Sweetwaters has grown mostly through franchising, but the Bees own four of Ann Arbor’s seven locations, including the flagship café on W. Washington, which opened in 1993. They’re also in the AADL branch in Westgate and now in two University Unions spots.
Craig Ferry will head the latest outpost after serving as assistant manager at the Michigan Union store, which opened in 2020.
Kiosk, app, and counter ordering are all options for students seeking sustenance or stimulants, reports Sweetwaters brand manager Dan Fairbanks. Along with the coffee and tea offerings are Ice Dragon blended drinks, shakes, specialty drinks, pastries, hot sandwiches, and ice cream.
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, 2101 Bonisteel, rm. B050 (Pierpont Commons). (734) 822–0734. Mon.–Fri. 7 a.m.–9 p.m., Sat. & Sun. noon–9 p.m. sweetwaterscafe.com/mi-ann-arbor-um-pierpont
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