News Summary
Grand Rapids welcomes Cafe Otono, a trendy new cafe located within the expanded Otono vintage store. Offering local coffee and pastries, this vibrant spot enhances the shopping experience and fosters community engagement. Owners Alana Sawicki and Emmanuel Ibarra have transformed their vintage shop into a hub for both thrifting and coffee, promising a welcoming space for locals and visitors alike.
Exciting Expansion in Downtown Grand Rapids: Otono Vintage Store Welcomes Cafe Otono!
Grand Rapids is buzzing with excitement as the beloved Otono vintage store has officially expanded with a fabulous new addition—a trendy cafe named Cafe Otono! Located at the address of 25 Division Ave. S, this vibrant new spot allows customers to sip on their favorite coffee and indulge in freshly baked pastries while browsing through vintage treasures.
From Vintage Finds to Coffee Delights
Owners Alana Sawicki and Emmanuel Ibarra took a giant leap forward in the summer of 2024, moving their vintage store from a cozy 1,800-square-foot space to a spacious 3,900-square-foot location just a few blocks away. The need for more room was clear—the owners wanted to develop a new cafe that would enhance the shopping experience for their customers. Before this exciting change, the original location had limited options for constructing such a cafe.
After six months of hard work collaborating with a local contractor, the duo proudly unveiled Cafe Otono to the public in March 2025. It’s amazing how they turned their vision into reality!
Brewing Up Something Special
Cafe Otono features a delightful coffee menu that highlights offerings from Caledonia-based High Bank Coffee Roasters and Morningsong Coffee Roaster for espresso lovers. Sweet treats and pastries are sourced from the popular Grand Rapids bakery, Field & Fire, ensuring that guests have just the right fuel to enhance their shopping adventures. For those looking for something different, specialty drinks like chai lattes and matcha tea lattes are also available—a delightful way to treat oneself!
The cafe’s ambiance is designed to make patrons feel right at home. With various seating options including a cozy long bench and scattered four-seat tables adorned with quirky chairs, it’s the perfect layout for gathering with friends or taking a moment to relax while sipping on a steaming cup of coffee.
A Community Hub for All
Otono is not just a place to shop; it’s designed to be a “third space” for locals and visitors alike—somewhere to gather outside of home or work. The owners have always had the goal of fusing the love for coffee and thrifting, creating a welcoming atmosphere amongst a supportive community. This modern vintage store has become a popular spot for live music and community events, which only adds to its charm.
In fact, Otono was the very first vintage store on Division Street! Since then, the area has transformed into a thrifting hotspot, boasting seven secondhand stores such as Rewind, Second Vibes, and Grammotones. Otono is proud to contribute to this development, making downtown Grand Rapids a go-to destination for secondhand shopping.
Looking Toward the Future
The vision for Otono doesn’t stop at the cafe. Plans for future offerings include the possibility of adding wine service or even a jazz bar in additional space downstairs! The community around Otono appreciates the importance of having places where they can unwind, relax, and enjoy themselves.
Mark your calendars! The grand opening celebration for Cafe Otono is scheduled for March 15, 2025. The event promises to be a lively affair, featuring a DJ and pop-up shops to get everyone in the spirit. The anticipation is palpable, and the feedback about the cafe has been overwhelmingly positive!
So, whether you’re looking to find unique vintage items or simply want to treat yourself to a delicious coffee and pastry, Cafe Otono is ready to become your new go-to spot in downtown Grand Rapids! Come for the shopping, stay for the coffee.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Retail Space Available in Grand Rapids
Otono to Open New Café in Grand Rapids This March
Additional Resources
- MLive: Otono Vintage Store Opens Cafe
- Wood TV: Coffee and Clothes at Otono
- Crain’s Grand Rapids: Otono Expands with Cafe
- Fox 17: Discover Otono Cafe
- GR Kids: Grand Rapids Vintage Thrift Stores
