A Repost from Cafe Luwak

If you read this site I’m sure you know that one of my favorite places in Ypsilanti is Cafe Luwak. I think the food and ice cream are great but the real reason I like the place so much is because of the owner Jim. Here is a repost of a posting on the Cafe Luwak Blog. It shows his sincerity as a business owner that is trying to improve his business by listening to the community around it. Jim has also offered his help with our upcoming neighborhood block party and other things I’m working on through the PPNA. Please make an effort to eat at Cafe Luwak once a week or take the time to fill out his online survey or leave feedback to let him know why you aren’t eating there once a week. I will confess I don’t eat there as often as I’d like but Luwak isn’t the only place I’d like to visit more often.

From Cafe Luwak Blog
Thursday, May 29. 2008
One of the things I am working on is improving our website to make it more interactive. I am adding an improved feedback area that allow customers to give us more detailed feedback on how we are doing, and I am also adding surveys that will help us in deciding our business direction. Questions like what kinds of salads would you like to see on our menu or what is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Can you think of more ways we can improve how environmentally friendly we are?

I really value the customer comments we get, and a number of changes that we have made especially with regards to our environmental footprint have been thanks to customers. Over a year ago I got a comment on one of the comment cards that said we should switch to low energy lighting. The following month we were closed for Easter, and Forrest and I came in and replaced every light bulb in the business with low energy bulbs. Another customer told me about the corn based plastics that were being used on coffee cups, and with a little searching on the internet I found them. I replaced all of our coffee cups, cold cups, salad containers, and take out bags with products made from corn based PLA plastic. Very early we had a lot of comments from our customers that our coffee should be organic and fair trade, and we switched all of our coffees as a result. Board games were another suggestion that came in on a comment card, and we now have a whole shelf full of them.

If you have a suggestion of what you would like to see improved in our business, please let me know. You can always send me an email, leave a comment on a comment card, or stop by our website and leave feedback or fill out one of the new surveys.

Things to Do in Ypsi This Weekend

Once again there is a lot to do in Ypsilanti this weekend.

Tonight:
Lady Sunshine & The X-Band on Washington Street as part of the Ypsilanti Crossroads Festival — In the event of Rain the event moves indoors to Club Divine.

Second Friday Business Night Downtown — I don’t know much about this event except that some businesses stay open late on the 2nd Friday of every month, I think there is a raffle of some sort. If you know what goes on please comment.

Saturday:
The Wurst of Ypsilanti -- A fund raiser for Rutherford Pool. The event kicks off at 4 pm and ends at 10 pm at the Crossroads Summer Festival Stage on Washington Street between Michigan Avenue and Pearl St. Tickets are $20 in advance (you can pick them up at the Crossroads Festival), $25 at the gate. Kids 12 and under are $5 anytime. The ticket price includes all you can eat sausages, bratwursts and side dishes. Lemonade and water are included. Beer and pop are available for additional fees on the Pub 13 patio.
Festival goers will enjoy Live Music Featuring:
Hullabaloo from 4-7 pm
Third Coast Kings from 7-10 pm.

For a complete list of events including things at the Library, The Riverside Arts Center, Dreamland, The Bars, and other things visit the Queens Residence blog — there is a very comprehensive list.

Upcoming Event:

June 19-22 — Tucker Convention
June 21 and 22 — Ypsilanti Relay for Life
June 25th — WCC Jazz Band
June 26th — Ypsilanti Community Band
July 2nd — WCC Jazz Band
July 4 – Ypsilanti 4th of July Parade
July 5-6 — Camaro Fest
July 9th — WCC Jazz Band
July 11, 12th — Elvis Fest
July 16th — WCC Jazz Band
July 23rd — WCC Jazz Band
July 25th, 26th — Michigan Brewers Festival
August 6-8th — Triumph Car Show
August 15-16-17 — Heritage Festival
August 23rd – Fire Truck Muster
September 11th — Model T 100th Anniversary Tour
October 4th — Antique Truck Show
October 24th – Downtown Halloween Fall Festival

ALSO REMEMBER
June 5th through September 18th Every Thursday Night are the Depot Town Cruise Nights.

June 6-September 12 Ypsilanti Crossroads Music Festival Every Friday starting at 7pm on the corner of Washington St and west Michigan Ave.

June 3 till September 30th — Tuesday Night Motorcycle Mania outside Aubree’s Saloon on Cross Street.

June 4th – July 9th — Frog Island Music Series Every Wednesday at 7pm WCC Jazz Band, Ypsilanti Community Band & Symphony and more.