Don't bother going anywhere else for coffee if you're near Ionia, Sozo's should be your first and…read moreonly stop. I've been to a lot of coffee shops in nearby cities and big cities around the country and Sozo's is just as good if not better than any I've visited. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and the environment is really laid back, with lots of space to sit and work or meet with friends, coworkers, or classmates. They source their own beans, and make their own baked goods in house. I'll often order their drip cause it's so good, but I also love their pour over, the Nutty Irishman, or just a plain Cortado. And I always keep their beans on hand for home. Please visit, enjoy, and support Rodney and Mindy and this small/local business!

When I moved to Ionia from GR over a year ago, I was worried that Biggby was my only option... I…read morewas so relieved to find Sozo. This is a real coffee lovers heaven. The staff is consistently friendly and fast, the baked goods are always bangin, and the atmosphere is super cozy. And the prices are very fair. This place is miles above any of the GR coffee shops I loved in every way. 10/10

When you walk in, the smell of coffee beans washes over you like waves at the edge of a beach…read more Refreshing and welcoming. Service was top notch, and I was waited on with patience and kindness as my tired brain struggled to decide which muffin was the right choice today. My latte was delicious and the muffin was epic for a coffeeshop. The shop was busy with customers buying everything from coffee gift baskets to several pounds of coffee for their local business to women stopping in for a sweet snack and coffee, like me. I'll definitely return when I'm back in town, and I recommend that you stop by.

Great coffee! Very friendly service and online ordering. Sumatra, available as both caf and…read moredecaf, is fantastuc.

I absolutely loved meeting one of the roasters at Water Street Roasters, Seth, and hearing about…read morehis trip this year to Costa Rica. It was so interesting to see the small coffee farms they visited, learn about the different ways to process the coffee, and discover more about this coffee region, as well as trying some just roasted coffee from the area. Our small group even learned how to do a coffee cupping for tasting different roasts/beans. If you ever have a chance to attend a class or presentation at the roaster, JUMP ON IT! This was one of the best things I've done in Kalamazoo. Thank you so much, Seth and Water Street Coffee Roasters, for bringing this process of bean to bag alive and personal. I fully support your efforts, coffee, and business even MORE SO now!

From the owner: Originally built sometime between 1885 and 1895 as a machine shop, the building at 610 West Willard…read moreStreet housed the Verdon Cigar Factory from 1900-1908 and then, until the mid-1970's, the Bowers Lighter Company. In 2006, Water Street Coffee Roaster moved in; the building now houses our entire roasting operation including our apple green Probat Roasting Machine, training facility, cupping lab, and the main business office. While open to the public, this is not a retail location.

Ron roasts his own beans. Gotta try it. I am confident you will enjoy the coffee. This spring he is…read moreadding a patio out front.

Love this small roastery and coffeeshop! Freshly roasted brand, super friendly staff and…read moreincredibly delicious coffee. Yahoo!!! Look for events!

Fun spot with cute vibes! I love exploring new coffee shops and this one is definitely up there on…read moremy list. Super friendly staff! With a good amount of seating and tasty coffee options this is a great place to do work or meet up with friends. I can wait to return! Drink: -12oz iced vanilla latte with oat milk. Goood rich coffee with the perfect amount of sweetness!

Possibly my new favorite spot for a bagel?…read more The matcha was good - smooth and creamy. The flavor of their vanilla syrup isn't my favorite but it wasn't bad. I live for fun specialty matcha and while they did have one on the menu, the pine flavors weren't appealing to me. Surprisingly, the real star of the show was the bagel. Not the avocado spread that was on it, that just tasted like that overly acidic stuff you get in the little cups, but the bagel itself was amazing. It was chewy but not tough to chew. I loved its soft doughy texture. They also had some vegan treats available that i'd love to try next time. The matcha was good but not my top pick in GR but that bagel would definitely bring me back.

Had a friend bring a bag of whole bean coffee as a housewarming gift. It has turned out to be the…read morebest tasting espresso I have ever brewed. They have an off site roasting facility that's top notch. Service was good with friendly informative staff. Can be hard to find parking close by but they have a nice environment to sit and drink good coffee in once you get there. Ps: The beans he brought were ( Umbra) sold there in one and two pound bags

wonderful vibes inside but the drinks are not for me…read more the space and the sunlight are great. they have basic drinks, a few summer specials, and terra bagels for $4 or day old bagels for $2.50. my partner and i both agreed our drinks tasted watered down. i ordered a vanilla matcha and he ordered a vanilla latte. there was very little matcha flavor. it was more like drinking a vanilla milk. even the faint matcha taste i was able to get from the drink was not very good.

This is the freshest coffee I've ever tasted. The Roaster confirmed that its fair trade beans…read morecrafted to make a special Golden honey blend and its like none I've ever tasted before.. It's smooth and not bitter and with me being a coffee snob, I can say this IS PREMIUM coffee and I am going back for more and sharing with friends. Get some! Get whole bean and grind it yourself for the best experience

From the owner: Try the newest premium coffee roaster 24K Gold Coffee. Visit 24KGoldCoffee.com and use promo code…read moreGoldenCup for 20% off

first time coming here and the food was SO good! I got the strawberry matcha and the Mountie both…read morewere amazing, no notes. Patiently waiting until I get a chance to go back and try the carrot cake latte!

Ordered the breakfast Crunchwrap and it is 10/10! Perfect amount of crispiness and creaminess. If…read moreyou haven't tried it, you should!

Do not get beans here. Do not let them grind them. I like to support local shops when I am…read moretraveling and I have my own espresso maker. I asked for espresso grind. When I opened the bag I could tell right away it was too fine. I attempted to pull a shot, but got nothing. It was most definitely Turkish grind. Since I could do nothing with the bag, I went back to explain this was ground too fine. The same individual was there and reacted with condensation, saying this is indeed espresso grind, which is basically Turkish, and he doesn't know what kind of maker I have so he cannot dial it in. I said I have never had this problem in the years I have done this at other shops. He acted like he could do nothing for me, so when I pressed that I can do nothing with these beans I spent money on, he got on the phone. At one point I heard him say, "Yes, I tried to explain that to her." As if I didn't know what I was talking about. I was finally given the option to get a bag of beans without having them ground, which is all I really wanted. I can grind the beans in my own grinder at home. I went down the street and bought a bag of beans there. I asked for espresso grind and mentioned that the last place gave me Turkish. She had to look up the appropriate setting, but she got it perfect. When I got home and opened the bag of beans from Black Iron, the beans were oily and smelled burnt. My coffee tasted that way, too. I was rather shocked because the latter I had ordered with my purchase was not bad. I had to use them up slowly by masking the bad taste with my go-to beans.

Love this cafe! I haven't tried them in years since moving away, but had to stop in during a recent…read morevisit home. They have since changed owners since I last visited, and had the opportunity to meet the new owners daughter who was working on bar that day. She is so friendly and makes a great macchiato! I used to be a barista for a few years and have since become an at home espresso enthusiast. This cafe produces delicious, quality espresso made with care. Quiet, clean, and cozy. Great study spot or catch up with friends. Can't wait to return next time I'm in town!