Java House Review

The importance of a cafe lays within the inborn atmosphere of the shop itself. Some shops offer the 'work-day-on-the-go' atmosphere, while others provide a 'relax-while-you-chat' vibe. But Detroit based cafe, Motor City Java House accomplishes that and more, creating an atmosphere which exudes characteristics of being home.

Located on Lahser Road in Detroit, this black-owned cafe host Jazz programs, hair festivals, town meetings, and meetings with elected officials. The owner, Alicia George, calls this cafe her dream come true.

"The Java House was a dream that I had about 18 years ago." George continued, "In 2003, we discovered this building could be the coffee shop, and in 2005 we began to build. It took us five years, over 1,000 people helped. It took over a quarter of million dollars and we opened on Angels night, October 30th, 2010."

This establishment is welcoming. As if it belonged to an old friend. The greeting from the owner felt authentic. The interior seemed nostalgic but modern. George frequently sang throughout the day, as her welcoming presence seemed guided and magnetic. This cafe felt refreshing.

Speaking with George, she explained that Java House cafe began as a community project, alongside her husband and co-owner John George. The two began using its space to put on poetry shows. "The shows got started first. That was a way that we raised awareness and money. We would put on poetry shows, and that's how we raised a quarter of a million dollars. No loans, no line of credit, it was all people power and investment into the village."

Java House feels like a cafe with more purpose. George attempts to make this purpose come to fruition by holding events on the first and third Friday of each month. She explains, "We have a staging area where live jazz happens the first and the third Friday of every month. It's free and it is from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m."

Along with free jazz concerts, Java House is also responsible for hosting community meetings, where Detroit citizens can speak directly with city councilman James Tate. George states, "That's where the community gets to come out and see what's going on in the neighborhood, getting a chance to talk to their elected official."

With Detroit's newest makeover, it is rare to see Detroit's authenticity standing strong within a single cafe. The character of the cafe is not within the menu but remains within its extracurricular activities or the cafe's intangibles. The workers are inviting. The clothing for sale represents local businesses. The woodwork is crafted from neighborhood locals. Every aspect of the business represents homegrown love. According to George, this is no coincidence. "Everything you see in the store has been loved, donated and given to the cafe."

The Java House takes its commitment to neighborhood unity beyond the call of duty, as the cafe holds yearly festivals. These festivals Include "the Natural Fly Hair Festival," which features over 2,000 women. George explains, These festivals Include "the Natural Fly Hair Festival," which features over 2,000 women. George explains, "Over 2,000 women who come from all over, to come to the festival for natural hair, natural products, natural energy." George continues, "It is the largest event where you see that many black women together and its nothing but love. Nothing but peace and we share."

Overall Java House is not your traditional cafe, but an atmospheric safe haven for that feeling of home. Its warming presence creates what most cafes strive for, A perfect neighborhood stable, for a Detroit in need of a reminder for what it once was.

While Detroit's gentrification-culture attempts to unnecessarily pivot Detroit back in the spotlight. Few shops risk genuinely representing Detroit. Java House accomplishes that, not by hosting small-time gigs or large scale festivals, but hosting each of these events with genuine cultural love.