There’s something special about Newberry Coffee Company—a café built on history and community spirit. By breathing new life into an old building, we honored our town’s heritage while creating a modern gathering spot.
In May, I had the opportunity to help open Newberry Coffee Company, a brand-new café right in the heart of downtown Newberry — a project I’m proud to call part of the town’s story. But this wasn’t just another coffee shop build—it was a total transformation of a historic space inside the Falls Hotel, a structure that’s stood proudly since 1915, back when Newberry thrived on lumber and the railroad.
As someone who lives and breathes coffee shop design, I was thrilled to help shape this space—not only as a welcoming place for locals to gather over great coffee, but as a modern revival of a building packed with stories.
We were humbled and excited to see our work highlighted in the Newberry News feature article, where Raj even received a special shout-out for his role in bringing this vision to life. A big thank-you to Newberry News for sharing our journey with the community!
Newberry Coffee Company: A Café Inside a Century-Old Hotel
The Falls Hotel has deep roots in Newberry’s identity. Built in the early 20th century, just a short walk from the town’s railroad depot, it once hosted workers arriving by train to serve the booming lumber industry. You can still see some of its original charm in these historic photos and this architectural overview.
A vintage postcard of the historic Falls Hotel Credit: www.waterwinterwonderland.comWhen we started the project, the café area required a gut renovation—years of wear and makeshift repairs had left it in rough shape. But the bones were solid, and the character? Unmistakable.
Construction Highlights at Newberry Coffee Company
We dove in. Walls were opened, plumbing was rerouted, and each decision was made with both form and flow in mind—essential for any coffee shop design worth its salt.
One of my favorite surprises: we uncovered an original drive-through window that had been sealed up years ago. It was like the building was whispering its history back to us (Left above). And if you look closely, under layers of flooring, you’ll see beautiful original tile that we’ve preserved for future renovations. A piece of history, waiting for its comeback! We’re hoping to bring out this and other elements of the old building in future renovations.
Layout Optimization & Coffee Craft at Newberry Coffee Company
Once the space started taking shape, I shifted focus to what I love most—creating seamless, efficient layouts for baristas and kitchen staff. We optimized the workspace for both coffee preparation and quick breakfast service, ensuring that every tool and appliance had its proper home.
Then came the equipment! Our espresso machine arrived, and we began calibrating everything—from grinders to tampers—to make sure each drink was dialed in just right.
Installing a reverse osmosis water filtration system—essential for espresso quality and machine longevity—meant rerouting plumbing and integrating new tech into the old bones of the building.
Signature Sips at Newberry Coffee Company
No visit to Newberry Coffee Company is complete without trying two crowd favorites:
- Cookie Butter Fluff Latte: A creamy marvel where smooth cookie butter meets velvety steamed milk, topped with a cloud of whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel—an indulgence that keeps folks coming back for more.
- Black Forest Latte: Inspired by the classic German dessert, this decadent drink blends rich chocolate syrup with a hint of cherry essence, crowned with whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings for the perfect balance of sweet and tart.
The Final Result at Newberry Coffee Company
Want to see how it all turned out?
🎥 Click here to watch the final walkthrough video on Instagram
📍 Or better yet, come visit in person.
The vibe is cozy, clean, and welcoming—with a deep respect for the building’s roots. Locals now have a point of pride—a cozy spot to gather with neighbors over a cappuccino—while visitors driving through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula have the perfect reason to visit our hometown café.
Visit Newberry Coffee Company Today
Whether you’re a Newberry neighbor, a tourist passing through, or someone who just loves a good cup of coffee in a community-owned spot,
📍 Find it on Google Maps
📸 Follow on Instagram
👍 Like on Facebook
And if this story inspired you, head over to the RajsCoffee Blog to follow along with more behind-the-scenes journeys like this one. I love highlighting the real work—and occasional surprises—that go into helping unique coffee spaces come to life. Thanks for reading, and I hope you’ll visit Newberry Coffee Company soon to experience the space for yourself!
Thanks for reading. It’s always an honor to be part of a space’s new beginning—especially when the walls have stories to tell.