An old, slim-built former bank has been host to Grand Rapids’ most prolific and enthusiastic coffee drinkers for the past 19 years. It’s called The Bitter End Coffehouse, and it’s owned by a friendly couple named John and Karisa Sprite. Open 24 hours, seven days a week, Bitter End’s interior has the most eclectic collection of art and photography you’ve ever seen.
“It kind of became a landmark place,” John said. “It’s not so much a coffeehouse as it is an experience. I’ve seen thousands of degrees earned here, people meeting for their first date and coming back years later married with kids.”
John is being modest here, since it’s narrowly impossible to discuss morning coffee with any Grand Rapidian without first mentioning this beloved Westside spot. From the nostalgic interior design to the wide assortment of flavorful, fresh brews, it’s no wonder the small establishment has become a community mainstay and daily ritual for so many in town.
“In the morning, we definitely get people that come and go, they’re on their way to work and they’re stopping in for their red eye,” Karisa said. “We do get students during all hours, but we have a lot of community members that are regulars and you’ll see them everyday here.”
When you first enter The Bitter End, its remarkable, unique atmosphere may very well affirm your belief in the possibilities of time travel. Once you’ve stepped through its well-preserved Neo-Classical facade (complete with original oakwood faux-pillars), you’re greeted cheerfully by a cracked, beautiful tiling that’s well over a century old, as well as a recently renovated drop ceiling that only further accentuates the coffeehouses’s distinct deco and European style.
“We’ve got a lot of visual stimulation with all the pictures and all the artwork,” Karisa said. “It’s dark, as opposed to light and bright. It’s just kind of got a little bit of a more cozy aspect to it.”
Karisa, whose own uncle worked on the city’s westside for several decades as a professional ceramicist, has long been a proponent for the local community and its many faces, not the least which being Grand Rapids’ own vibrant art scene. Serving as an ArtPrize venue regularly for the past several years, John and Karisa Sprite cannot help feeling forlorn over the beloved event’s uncertain future. However, with its proclivity for holding onto anything intriguing and one-of-a-kind, The Bitter End boasts an impressive collection of art, including one sketch mural by a former employee which proudly displays the portraits of many of their coffee regulars. All in all, The Bitter End beautifully reflects the good-natured attitude that many of their customers hold.
“I’ve actually gotten random feedback from people about how comfortable they feel, and how it’s a safe place,” Karisa said. “That’s something that’s important to us, is that whatever walk-of-life you’re in, however you identify, that you’re safe here.”
Those efforts for inclusivity and community seem to start right from your first step through the door, as each and every barista at the coffeehouse offer a friendly hello. And once they brew your drink, the friendliness does not stop there. Many employees will strike up conversation with patrons as they enjoy their hot drinks, asking questions about their day and plans for after work. This openness then encourages the customers to do the same with their fellow coffee-drinkers.
“I’m sure you’ll hear this anywhere, with the pandemic and all its strains, we struggled with staff,” Karisa said. “But, we have a really great staff right now. They’ve all been here for a long time. It’s a relief.”
It’s true, the baristas of The Bitter End are a class all their own. Brewing fan-favorite drinks from the French Kiss to the French Toast, their aromatic chai always leave an impression. John Sprite believes in one reason why this may be true.
“We keep all the roasts small, so we’re rotating through it,” John said. “We probably get the freshest roasts here, because we have such a limited supply.”
Delicious coffee and an impressive service team; These are the hallmark traits of The Bitter End. But, the Sprites are not the only Grand Rapids locals to have claim to some fantastic coffee experiences in the city. Located only a stone’s throw from other great offerings such as Rise Baking Company, The Bitter End certainly has worthy competition. So, over their nearly two decades of constant innovation and experimentation, they’ve landed on a simple strategy that they believe stands apart.
“It’s made expressly for you, not for distribution,” John said. “It’s just a different model.”
An old, former bank with a rich, storied past has planted its roots firmly down in Grand Rapids’ westside. It’s a coffeehouse called The Bitter End. Its decorations may be alarming, its tile floor may be crumbling, but its counter-culture identity is persevering. With anything in their shop, the Sprites’ humor and wit match The Bitter End’s relentless, independent, and industrious attitude.
And when you stop by, don’t forget their motto.
“You have to buy a drink, that’s our only rule,” John said. “And don’t be a jerk.”
Bitter End Coffee House
752 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
thebitterendcoffeehouse.com
