Drip Drop Drink coffee bar first retailer open in restored historic Russell Block Building, Muskegon

At just 300 square feet, Drip Drop Drink coffee bar takes up a small space in downtown Muskegon's circa 1890 Russell Block Building. But the slow-drip brewing method that coaxes the flavor out of every coffee bean and the house-made flavored syrups for the specialty drinks pack a delicious wallop.

In August, Drip Drop Drink was the first of a handful of planned retail shops and a craft brewery in the historic building at 360 W. Western Ave. to open to the public. Nov. 2, coffee shop owner Todd Johnson plans a grand opening celebration with free samples and coffee brewing instruction by Josh Dugue of Counter Culture Coffee's Chicago-based training center.

"I've always loved the vibe of really nice coffee shops and how you can relax over a good cup of coffee, so I started planning for it and picking up equipment for the past two or three years," says Johnson. "Initially, I was going to pack everything up and head to Grand Rapids, but a friend was heading up the Russell Block development and talked me into opening in Muskegon. And here we are in this really old, cool building."

The shop shares a common café space with Unruly Brewing, which is still in development. Vintage coffee devices, radios from the '70s, a church pew with an orange velour seat, a vintage door for the menu board, and vintage food lockers for coffee storage perk up the décor. A window suspended from the ceiling creates a visual separation from Unruly Brewing, but still leaves the space open and connected.

Hours: Mon. - Fri. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sat. 8 to 5; Sun. 10 to 4.
Grand opening event: Nov. 2, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
Photos courtesy of Drip Drop Drink

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Muskegon wakes up and smells the coffee with new shop in historic Russell Block Building
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