Bear Creek Coffee opens in Battle Creek

Posted on July 26, 2007 by Bill Dube

Coffee and smoothie fans on the go now have a quick place to stop in Battle Creek, MI, with the opening of Bear Creek Coffee, Espresso, & Smoothies

The dual-sided drive-through at 930 Columbia Ave. West targets commuters and others,  like parents with kids on board  who aren't interested in getting out of their cars.

"It's targeted to get people their drinks in under two minutes," said owner Alan Yanke.  Bear Creek, a national company has its corporate headquarters in Indianapolis.

The 8 X 22'6" foot building in Battle Creek, like the beverages it serves, was also designed for speed and convenience. The building was pre-made at in Indiana, delivered on a truck, picked up and put into place by a crane once it arrived.

Bear Creek sells espresso drinks, smoothies and assorted pastries. Specialty coffees include lattes, mochas, cappuccinos, mochachinos, chaichinos, fruit smoothies, & other assorted iced blended coffee drinks and chais. 

A third Michigan location has also recently opened in Kalamazoo.  Owner Utah Keller operates his dual sided drive-through at 4423 West KI Avenue.

National sales Director, Pete Lambros, reported that the Battle Creek store was the 34th coffee shop opened by Bear Creek since it began their national expansion in January, 2005.  He also noted that the company is adding 2-3 new licensees monthly.  Sales are "brisk" he says.  "Coffee is a high profile business.  And it's a fun business.  We have a distinct advantage because we offer all the services , but since we are not a Franchise, there is never a franchise Fee or a Royalty Fee.  It's becoming quite popular", he notes.

" We are rapidly growing and will have 50 stores opened by the end of this year."