Uptown Coffeehouse to close after 21 years in heart of Howell

HOWELL — A cherished coffee shop in the heart of downtown Howell will close after more than 21 years.

Uptown Coffeehouse owner Lorna Brennan announced on social media she's decided to sell the historic building at 102 E. Grand River Ave. — which houses the coffee shop and two upstairs apartments.

"After 21 1/2 years as part of the downtown Howell business community, I have decided to list for sale the historic building that has served so beautifully as the structure for Uptown Coffeehouse," Brennan wrote Saturday, May 11.

Brennan told The Daily on Monday she's not available for additional comment yet.

"Once I have found a new owner for the building — someone who will continue to serve as a steward for this wonderful structure — and after what feels like the appropriate amount of celebration and goodbyes, Uptown Coffeehouse will close its doors, making space for the next business to flourish and serve downtown Howell," she wrote online.

A closing date will be announced down the road.

Local artist Kat McButterfly and her husband live in one of the upstairs apartments. She's used the coffee shop as a place to make art and teach young artists.

"I think she’s just ready for a new chapter," McButterfly told The Daily. "I hope that whoever buys that building keeps it a coffeehouse."

Meanwhile, McButterfly is looking for a new place to live downtown. Her son and his wife were planning to move into the other apartment above Uptown Coffeehouse. They're also looking elsewhere.

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Another downtown coffee shop, Black Iron Coffee Roasters, closed in December . Owner Kevin Ridge is working to line up a buyer who can help reopen.

The latest update from the business came Tuesday, May 7, when Ridge indicated owners are "at the mercy of the bank right now" but both possible "scenarios" lead to a re-opening. He told The Daily Monday that remains the case.

McButterfly said there are other places to get a caffeine fix in downtown Howell, including M Street Baking Co. and The Crunchy Pickle. Oh Crumbs! Bread Co. serves coffee and tea.

— Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Uptown Coffeehouse to close after 21 years in heart of Howell