MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, MI - From sausage breakfast croissants to catfish and smothered potatoes, The Us Cafe provides a space where the community can gather and enjoy comfort cooking and a fresh pouring of roasted coffee.
Owner Kaja Thornton-Hunter opened The Us Cafe, previously known as The Business Cafe at Barney Maffet Place, in May 2021.
Thornton-Hunter said she purchased the building in hopes of creating an administrative place for her nonprofit, Overcoming Barriers, and her small Cajun seasoning business, Kaja’s Flavor.
Because the business, located at 2300 Maffett St in Muskegon Heights., opened during the COVID-19 pandemic, Thornton-Hunter decided to cater the cafe space to people working from home.
“It had a kind of internet cafe feel,” Thornton-Hunter said. “I thought that if they were working with us during the day, they’re going to need some coffee.”
Aldea Coffee, a Muskegon Heights business, partnered with the cafe to kickstart the concept of the business, which eventually became part of The Us Cafe coffee line.
Later in the year, Thornton-Hunter added food items to the menu with the help of local Chef Stace Jones. Together, they created a menu full of flavor, combining Thornton-Hunter’s seasoning company and Jones’ expertise in cooking.
“We’ve become a community staple, a community hub space,” Thornton-Hunter said. “It was the business cafe, but we took the ‘us’ out of business and made it The Us Cafe, a place for all of us.”
Since the cafe opened and changed its name, Thornton-Hunter said the place has become a destination spot for local organizations and politicians.
Through a program called the Jump High Institute, in partnership with the Grand Valley State University Innovation Hub, the cafe works to offer training for people who want to start businesses.
The cafe has resume nights every Thursday to help locals improve their resumes for job applications, Thornton-Hunter said.
“So many different connections have happened here,” Thornton-Hunter said. “Different ideas have spurred out of this space and all types of city officials have made it a great meeting space.”
As for the menu that has attracted customers across Muskegon County, the Jerk salmon egg roll is a fan favorite at The Us Cafe. Customers who order the Jerk salmon egg roll can purchase three for $12 or four for $15.
For those looking for breakfast rather than brunch, the cafe offers sausage breakfast croissants topped with two scrambled eggs and cheese. Customers can order the croissants with a choice of bacon or sausage for $8 each.
To finish the meal, customers can also choose from Starbucks-inspired drink orders like frappes, cappuccinos, lattes, hot teas, and smoothies.
The business has touted serving up “some of the tastiest comfort food” in the Muskegon Heights area.
Thornton-Hunter said her business shows the way the community supports the community, thriving as a hub where local entrepreneurs can get inspired to start their small businesses.
“We didn’t seek out to be this community space, but we just morphed into what the community needed,” Thornton-Hunter said. “And we’re just rolling with it and happy to be a pivotal piece for Muskegon Heights, a beacon of light on the corner of Barney and Matthew.”
Hours of operation are Monday through Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. Contact the business at (231) 747-9014.
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