A Ferndale coffee spot known for its progressive, inclusive vibe and tasty java is closing its doors.
Sunday will be the final day in business for Drifter Coffee, the business announced Friday on social media.
According to the Instagram post, Drifter ran into financial issues after making a push to expand to a larger space than its current digs on Woodward Heights at the north end of Ferndale.
“Projections were looking really good but a few unexpected expenses have put us in a position that we can’t sustainably keep going. We wish we had been able to give more notice,” the company stated in the post.
Drifter asked customers to “come by this weekend to enjoy a last drink, share fond memories and help us raise money for the staff.” The company also posted a link to a fundraiser to help benefit employees affected by the short-notice closure.
Drifter started in 2015 as a mobile “caboose” that would “drift” around Detroit, selling drinks at local events. The brick-and-mortar café opened in March 2019.
The business touted its inclusivity, writing on its website that “at our shop, we are always working to better educate ourselves on the intersections of social and environmental justice. we strive to host community events and amplify the voices of marginalized groups in our neighborhood and industry.”
The business utilized environmentally friendly, locally produced packaging and participated in causes including the 2017 “Day Without Women” strike on International Women’s Day. In 2024, the café hosted a drag show to help raise funds to help a Gaza family displaced by war.
“We are so grateful for all the community support and outpouring of love that we have received since our very first day in the coffee camper and it’s truly sad that it’s ending,” Drifter said in the Instagram post.
mreinhart@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Popular Ferndale coffee spot closing its doors on short notice
Reporting by Max Reinhart, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
