Fortress Cafe

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I have seen many business announcements over the last couple of months ranging from price increases, to complete business closure. I have been racking my brain on ways to innovate, cut costs, and make Fortress a place where people can expect a different experience. While I have come up with a few solutions to improve our business, there are others that must occur for the long term health of our coffee world and the new regenerative farm we kicked off this past spring.

Over the last year the coffee and food industry has slowed down substantially. This has been the common sentiment with almost all of the coffee shops and restaurant owners/managers I have talked to. With lower revenue compounded by rising costs and ongoing health issues in our family, we have to maximize what is working and let go of what is not. Our kiosk inside Henry Ford Health Jackson is working well. Our location at 1300 W. Michigan Ave is not.

The maximizing opportunity we have is we will be adding a chef and opening more hours inside the hospital by the end of March. That which needs to be let go is the shop on Michigan Ave, which will close its doors on Saturday, March 8th. This is a very hard and heart breaking decision for us, but it must be done.

Let me answer a couple of quick questions that this announcement will likely bring about:

What about your staff? We are losing only one barista in the move, who had actually received a job offer prior to knowing about this announcement. So we will keep the staff that want to continue and actively help any who want a change to find new jobs.

Is this it for Fortress coffee shops?
No. We want to open a new coffee shop in the future once the financials and economy level out. The goal is still to build a stand alone restaurant/cafe on our farm property in Spring Arbor.

What about any gift cards that were purchased? They will still be valid at our kiosk in the hospital. Save it for a rainy health day, or just come say hi anytime.

What is going to happen to that space? The amazing people at 517 Salon & Spa will look to repurpose it for their business. I cannot express enough gratitude to them for being such amazing people to work with.

Is there anything we can do to help? YES! Did you know we sell bags of coffee online and will deliver it to your doorstep for free if you’re in Jackson?! Free shipping within a 10 mile radius of downtown Jackson. Find us at www.fortresscafe.com/shop

Thankfully this is not the end, just a change of pace for our family and business. Look for us to add more services and product delivery within the next year as well!

Much love Jackson!
Duncan & the Fortress Fam

SHOP | Fortress

Fresh roasted coffee for home

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supporting our farm!

As many of you know we kicked off our farming efforts this summer and it has been awesome! We already have spring mix, kale, lettuce, radish, and arugula harvested and in shop!

We are putting 100% of online coffee sales towards the ongoing cost of running the farm. So jump on and order a bag or two on our fancy new website.

Gift Cards

Bag of Coffee = Farm Support Click here for an update from Fortress Cafe!

Flowers and coffee! The moms in your life will love it. Order here- Link for coffee and flowers: https://fortresscafe.square.site/product/flower-latte/129?cs=true&cst=custom

Rhubarb Cake and Rhubarb Lemonade available in limited supply. Thanks to our friends at Northfarthing - Goods, Flowers, Produce for the locally grown Rhubarb!

Last day to invest! All final investments will go toward perennial produce like asparagus, wild strawberries, raspberries and maple (syrup) trees. Link in comments!

We’re expanding! Looking forward to a cozy, come and stay environment where we’ll be adding some new, unique offerings to Jackson. Announcement coming soon!

🚨Announcement🚨
Dear Jackson,

In 2021, our friends at sparked an opportunity for us to expand our coffee business. Now, after 3 years, we’re passing the torch to another coffee venture for continued growth in Jackson. Meet our successors who will take over our Jackson location at the end of April. This transition allows us to focus more on our locations in Lenawee County.

We’re confident that Fortress will not only meet but exceed your expectations, offering even more to the Jackson community. With two existing coffee shops in Jackson and plans for a local farm to enhance their offerings, Fortress is dedicated to freshness and community building through coffee.

While we’re sad to say goodbye to Jackson, we’re grateful for the connections we’ve made. Thank you to Five One Seven Salon, our dedicated employees, and the supportive community. Coffee really is Community! We look forward to future visits and invite you to explore our Lenawee County locations.

Please note: Any remaining gift cards can be redeemed until the end of April or at any of our other locations thereafter. Additional details and dates of the transition will follow soon.

With Sincere Gratitude,
Musgrove + Company, Josh + Lora

With two days left to invest, all final investments will go toward perennial produce plants such as asparagus, wild strawberries, raspberries, and rhubarb. Thank you all!

Now for some food for thought:

A story is told of an old man out planting his field during the Great Depression. His neighbor approached to remind him that no one had money to be able to buy his crop, to which the old man replied,

“I’m not worried about sales, I’m planting oak trees!”

Thinking he lost his mind, the neighbor asked how that would help him.

The old man replied

“I am not planting to help me. These are for my grandchildren.”

A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit. -Greek Proverb

Invest in Fortress Cafe | Coffee Shop in Jackson, MI Fortress Cafe is seeking investment to start a farm and grow the food we sell. To be the farm and the table.

Note on the Mainvest platform- sign up for investments on a desktop! A few folks have had issues setting it up on mobile but zero issues on desktop. Couple more days for your chance to invest!

Invest in Fortress Cafe | Coffee Shop in Jackson, MI Fortress Cafe is seeking investment to start a farm and grow the food we sell. To be the farm and the table.

Investments are still live until Friday! Looking forward to sharing the fruits and veggies of our labor with you!

Invest in Fortress Cafe | Coffee Shop in Jackson, MI Fortress Cafe is seeking investment to start a farm and grow the food we sell. To be the farm and the table.