Bagel sandwiches, coffee drinks are stars at newly opened Cafe Fuel in Jackson

JACKSON COUNTY, MI – Cafe Fuel is now welcoming customers to enjoy coffee and company in downtown Jackson.

In October, Fortress Cafe closed its location inside Lean Rocket Lab, leading the nonprofit to open a coffee shop of its own called Cafe Fuel. The new business opened its doors Monday, Dec. 9.

Fortress Cafe is closing downtown store, but new coffee shop will take its place

“Everybody’s super excited to be back and loving all the new options they can pick from,” Director of Member Services Sierra Sibson said.

People can find a variety of sandwiches, bagels, soups, salads, English muffins and coffee drinks. Popular are the steamed bagel sandwiches, which are usually made with bacon and eggs, or turkey and cheese, Cafe General Manager Faith Seneff said.

“It’s kind of a new thing that people haven’t heard a lot about, but you make your sandwich, put it in a steamer that we have, and it softens it,” Seneff said. “It kind of melts all the flavors together.”

Soups are hits with patrons so far, Seneff said. Options rotate between chicken noodle, broccoli cheddar, loaded baked potato and a tomato basil bisque.

Baked goods come from Jackson’s Doughnation Bakery and The ABC Bakery in Summit Township. Additionally, there is a space where the nonprofit can showcase those participating in the LOCAL Fellows Program, Sibson said.

Fortress Cafe is closing downtown store, but new coffee shop will take its place

“We’re just trying to utilize local businesses and bring more people in the space,” Seneff said.

Cafe Fuel still brews coffee from Fortress Cafe, which operates a farm and other locations, and Cafe Fuel makes a variety of lattes, cappuccinos, cold brew and hot chocolate.

Coffee fans can join a mug club for $29.99 a month. They will receive a Cafe Fuel mug and can fill it with free drip coffee or get $1 off specialty beverages, Sibson said.

Aside from the food, Lean Rocket Lab reconfigured the seating of the cafe to offer more comfortable options, including, high-top chairs, tables and couches. So far, both Sibson and Seneff have enjoyed seeing the seats full.

“We had a lot of people that are regulars that come in here and they like to work up here, have meetings with each other,” Sibson said. “I think they’re excited to be back.”

Cafe Fuel, 133 W. Michigan Ave., is open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

More information can be found on its Facebook page and website.

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