Greetings, Coffee Lover!

Last Friday was our first taste of summer: sunny and 70s. On Saturday the pundits around here remarked that it was the shortest summer they could recall, as we plunged back to the 30s and had rain. Winter still seems to have its claws in Spring, and while Summer is slowly creeping up in the form of daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths, we’re all getting antsy for barefoot walks on the beach. Then again, in two weeks the leaves will probably be out on the trees, and I will be planting in the garden .

The big garden news is that the Glen Arbor Garden, on the old Fire Hall property between Art’s and Cottage Book Shop, is nearing completion. The bricks are installed, planting is in the works, and all that remains is some painting of the bathrooms and information kiosk. The grand dedication is on Saturday May 23rd at 2 p.m. (at the Garden), with cookies and lemonade for refreshments. Fortunately, it’s only a one minute walk from our patio, so you’ll be able to sneak over for coffee Although the final tally is not in, we surpassed our fundraising goal of $75,000, and so far have collected over $130,000!

If you haven’t heard, and drive up to Glen Lake, the bridge at The Narrows is out until September. Driving from M-72 the best routes are either to continue north on County 669 at Shimek’s Corner and come via Burdickville, or take M-72 west to beautiful Empire, and drive into Glen Arbor via M-109 and the Dune Climb.

Many times customers will ask for Breakfast Blend. Some even get insistent that we sell a Breakfast Blend coffee (we always agree and give them the delightful Bakery Blend). The other day I was asked, “what makes a coffee a breakfast blend?” And the simple answer: marketing.

There is no one formula for a breakfast blend. That is simply a label marketers have applied to a bag or can to sell coffee. An adjunct to the breakfast blend question is, “what’s the best coffee?” It’s like asking what flavor of ice cream is the best: depends upon the person tasting it. This is why we encourage you to try different coffees from time-to-time, switching regions or roasts to see what you like. Then, when you’ve discovered that perfect coffee, it becomes your personal Breakfast Blend. I hope you’ll order some of your usual coffee soon, but also try a pound of something different. If you write to me and tell me what you currently enjoy, I’ll write back with a couple of suggestions.

I suppose I should mention Mother’s Day and remind you that if Mom insists that she doesn’t want or need anything, then naturally Leelanau Coffee is a great gift, because she does want and need coffee!

We’ll see a number of you Up North for Memorial Weekend, and many of you will purchase coffee to take home. Here’s a great hint: order ahead online. Days or weeks ahead of your arrival in Glen Arbor you may go online at your leisure, and pick out the coffees you would like to take home. As you check out, choose your pickup date, and then for shipping select Walk In (which is free). Then, your pre-paid order will be ready for pick up at the counter, and you can run in and out and make the most of your beach time. Please order Monday-Thursday, and at least 24 hours before your pickup date. Orders placed Friday-Sunday will not be ready until Monday afternoon (except holidays).

Finally, a few of you have asked how to order half-decaf (or ¾, and so on…) online. All you need to do is choose your decaf coffee, and then in the comment section of checkout, tell us what the decaf/caf blend should be, and which of the coffees it applies to. We’ll do the rest. Hopefully these little tips will make your time in Glen Arbor, and at Leelanau Coffee Roasting, even more pleasant and relaxing. Have a great month!