Jumpin' Jive
A Hamtramck business.
+hotspots/tel 12
Jumpin' Jive is the epitome of a certain sort of local independent coffee shop, the kind that would be put out of business by Starbucks without its fiercely loyal regulars. It's lucky enough to have a corner location in a renovated factory building--one where a plethora of glass windows have been retrofit on the first and second floors, to allow for sunlit street-side real-estate. The windows often hold posters advertising community events and performances, and the most prominent spot on the front door is reserved for a chalkboard listing the live music schedule at the cafe itself. These are always repeated on both sides, so as to be visible to patrons inside the cafe as well as those passing by.
The decor is "eclectic reclaimed factory chic," with a little modern-industrial thrown in: the two 'inside' walls are exposed brick, with one of them set up with horizontal cables used to display works by local artists. An antique freight lift stands in one corner, often laden with bags of coffee beans, along with a handpainted sign that reads, "We roast our beans on the premises! Ask for a tour!"
The cafe proper is a large, open square with the sales counter occupying half of one end, creating an L-shaped seating area. The original hardwood floor hasn't been refinished entirely, just lightly smoothed and given a thick new clear-coat so as to show off all the marks of its original wear and tear. There are other features that play into the modern-plus-historic decor: tables of reclaimed wood planking with big antique factory-cart wheels, metal bracket edge treatments on the counters, Edison-style bulbs in primitive fixtures that hang from the high ceiling. The ducts are exposed, as well, creating what has to be a dusting nightmare requiring twelve-foot ladders. The chairs are simple but stylish brushed metal, set neatly around tables for two, four or--in one case--as many as six or eight. Along the storefront, bar seating stretches the length of two generous windows, so that one can sit and people-watch. Near the service counter, there's an opening to a back hallway, with a hand-carved sign pointing the way to the (all-gender) facilities.
The service counter, staffed by people of varying ages and appearances, has a large pastry-case and, of course, an industrial-sized Marzocco espresso machine; the machine itself is burnished stainless, kept spotless. The menu occupies several chalkboards, hung well above the behind-the-counter area and suspended by iron chains. As well as (of course) coffee, espresso drinks and tea, the cafe serves breakfast sandwiches, a small selection of lunch sandwiches, soup in the winter, smoothies, and pastries made by a prized local bakery.
Like a number of artsy Hamtramck businesses, the cafe is open late: one a.m. on weekdays, 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
