Crow About It Coffee & Cakes

The Dalgliesh family has been involved in many forms of artistry over the years, incuding photography, painting, woodworking, decorating, poetry, novel writing and music.
Now they’re expressing their talents through espresso at their new family-owned and family-oriented eatery, Crow About It Coffee and Cakes.
“Our goal is to present a positive, creative and comfortable setting for anyone and everyone,” says Sarah Dalgliesh, who was born and raised in Leland and worked in the restaurant business for about 13 years at Sugar Loaf, The Homestead, Boone Docks and other locales. “If you’re looking to stop in for a cup of coffee before work, or you’re looking for a place to meet friends, or just a place to put your feet up and relax, you’re welcome here.”
Crow About It Coffee and Cakes opened in November in a strip mall at the intersection of U.S. 31 North and 4 Mile Road in East Bay Township. Until recently, the building housed another coffee house, Good Harbor Coffee.

GOOD OPPORTUNITY
“After we decided to go ahead with the coffee shop we began looking for a location,” explains Sarah, whose husband Les is a musician and involved in the region’s Songwriters in the Round group. “This site was a great opportunity, since it had already been a coffee house. Coffee has proven to be very popular in Traverse City and there’s really no other shop on this side of town.
In addition to a variety of coffees and specially-blended teas, Crow About It Coffee and Cakes features several tasty sandwiches. One of the most popular is the Crow-sant, - chicken salad, egg salad or ham and cheese on a fresh, home-baked croissant with fruit salsa and cinnamon chips ($5.95). A tasty Southern Bean Dip appetizer is only $3.95.
To satisfy a guest’s sweet tooth, the eatery offers some fun candies, including homemade malt balls (Crow’s Eggs) and bird seed (chocolate-covered sunflower seeds).
The eatery’s selection of freshly-baked goods changes constantly, but there’s always an assortment of blueberry, apricot and cherry scones. Guests have also enjoyed the shop’s German Chocolate Cake.
“We also do specialty cakes,” says Sarah. “So if someone has a birthday, anniversary or special occasion, we can provide cakes for them.”
Prior to opening the doors, several relatives helped to do a little remodeling, including painting and building a bar area. The family also had to come up with a catchy name.
“We were trying to come up with something that indicated that the place was comfortable, warm and inviting,” recalls Sarah. “At home we have a framed saying that says ‘Do Something to Crow About’ so we went with that.”

LONGTIME DREAM
Crow About It Coffee and Cakes is the result of a longtime dream of Sarah’s daughter Kathryn, a trained coffee barista. “Kathryn always wanted to open her own coffee shop,” explained Sarah. “She’s really a force behind the business.”
Other family members who work at the shop include Sarah’s son James, her daughter-in-law Sandra and her seven-month-old grandson Emery, who always draws the attention of customers.
Visitors to the shop are greeted by an inviting warehouse modern vibe, that features a warming electrical fireplace in one corner. With a comfy chair nearby, the fireplace is a popular spot during the frigid winter weather. There are six tables with four chairs each, plus a row of stools along the bar. Free wi-fi makes it an attractive and comfortable place to catch up on online business or update your Facebook.
Music is a big part of Crow About It Coffee and Cakes, so a house guitar is hung on the wall, available for anyone who chooses to perform.
Every Saturday from 8 to 10 p.m. Crow About It Coffee and Cakes hosts special events. The first Saturday of each month is open mic night at the shop, where visitors are invted to bring their own instrument and join in or pull up a chair and enjoy the music. The second Saturday is free expression night, a casual night where artists are invited to bring in their artwork or writing. The third Saturday is devoted to poetry open mic when guests can recite their favorite poems or shair their own writing. The fourth Saturday is concert night, where different musicians are featured. Performers are invited, but wallflowers are made comfortable too.
“In the planning stages are events such as book clubs, poetry slams, writer’s groups and more,” says Sarah. “If there is anything you would like to see in Traverse City, please let us know. Also, if you’re an artist and would like to be part of Crow About It, please contact us.”
Crow About It Coffee and Cakes, a family-owned and operated business, is located at 1990 US 31 N. (on the corner of 4 mile and US 31 N.) in Traverse City. It’s open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (with live entertainment from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and Sundays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call (231) 421-3799. A website is now under construction at
www.crowaboutit.com.

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