From the smooth jazz and cozy atmosphere of Rough Draft to the rock’n’roll-vinyl-selling Checker Records, there is a coffee shop for everyone located right here in Hillsdale, Michigan.
Less than a mile from campus, Rough Draft offers a cozy study space and many coffee options from their specialty lattes to cortados to breves.
Erin Freidenfeld, a senior and Rough Draft barista, said they make all of their baked goods and coffee syrups in-house, differentiating them from the competition in town.
“People love our homemade syrups and baked goods,” Freidenfeld said. “We always have one rotating seasonal flavor, as well as our staple bourbon vanilla and dark mocha.”
Freidenfeld also said the close location to campus makes it a perfect spot for community or studying.
“I think the fact that so many people love it here and they continually come back keeps Rough Draft popular and loved by the town,” Freidenfeld said. “When I work, I see all of campus come through, so it provides a place to do homework and socialize.”
A little farther from campus on the downtown square is Jilly Beans, known for its long list of creative latte names and extensive menu, as well as offering its own flavored beans for sale.
According to Breanna Bower, a Jilly Beans barista, a fan-favorite latte is the “Belly Rub,” made with white-chocolate and caramel flavor. She also thinks that the food they offer brings a lot of people into the store.
“A lot of people come in here for our breakfast sandwiches and quiches,” Bower said. “We also have a big sitting space that allows people to come and hang out and do work.”
If a fun and musical atmosphere is what you are looking for, walk a bit further down the block from Jilly Beans and visit Checker Records, a rockin’ n’ rollin’ spot for a latte.
Open since 1980, Checker Records has been a Hillsdale staple since owner John Spiteri and his wife, Robin, bought their Hillsdale storefront in 1987. While originally just a music store, Spiteri said he saw the decline in the music industry and knew he needed to make a change if he wanted to keep his business relevant. He took inspiration from Borders, a now-defunct bookstore chain that sold coffee, and in 2003 introduced lattes and espresso to his store.
“Checker Records is a reflection of my wife and my personality, and when the music business kind of slowed down, we had to do something or we weren’t going to be around,” Spiteri said. “We thought, if Borders could do books and coffee, we could do music and coffee.”
Spiteri said they offer hot, iced, and blended coffee drinks and smoothies, but the blended drinks are the most popular. They also offer specialty lattes, all of which have rock’n’roll names honoring different musicians or bands, such as their mocha named after the Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osborne, or their almond-coconut-mocha named after Jimmy Buffett.
If death-meatal honoring lattes isn’t your speed, Overflowing Cups and Cones offers a spot to find Christian community centered on coffee.
Located in an old carwash, Overflowing is a drive-thru-style Christian coffee and ice cream spot that honors Christ with every latte, according to barista Lily Proctor. Each cup comes with a Bible verse sticker, reminding the sipper to recenter their thoughts and day around God.
Proctor said each coffee shop in Hillsdale offers something special, which allows them to all compete in such a small town.
“The fact that we praise Jesus and spread the gospel with every coffee we serve sets us apart from the rest,” Proctor said. “People come here for the Christian community we offer.”
The happy-sounding latte names include Proctor’s favorite, their caramel and vanilla latte called the “Uplifted.” Other options on the menu are the “Bean Redeemed,” a caramel-mocha drink, and “Pure Joy,” a white chocolate and strawberry latte.
The next time you find yourself needing your morning latte or afternoon pick-me-up, venture out to one of the many local Hillsdale coffee places and find the one that best matches your vibe.
