Favorite student study spot gets facelift

JP’S UNDER RENOVATION/REBRANDING — The JP’s staff took the above photo with
the new owners. One of downtown’s well-known study spots is going under remodel and will
return with a new name and a more modern diner style by family-owned Ferris Coffee and Nuts. (Ferris Coffee)

Hope College students have enjoyed JP’s Coffee with some having named it their favorite study spot downtown. JP’s originally opened back in 1993, providing the Hope students and the Holland community with refreshing coffee in a comfortable atmosphere.

In March 2016, JP’s Coffee was just reopening from a remodel, taking on a different color scheme and art work in the café.

Most of the remodel done last year was on the west side of the café. A bar and bulkhead were removed to make room for the library-style tables that were placed in the back of the shop. Large community tables took the place of the booths located in the west side of the café, which were reupholstered and moved to the east side of the shop.

Most of the furniture brought in during the last year’s renovation was new. The front east side of the café was redesigned to create more open space and improve the traffic flow.

Ferris Coffee will bring some renovations and a name change to the warm and friendly JP’s that the Holland community has enjoyed over the years. JP’s Coffee became part of Ferris Coffee just two years prior to previous renovations. Ferris is a family-owned company based in Grand Rapids that was established in 1924.

Beginning earlier at the start of 2018, JP’s has started to undergo a complete remodel and will re-open in the Spring of 2018 as Ferris Coffee – Holland.

JP’s founder, Jack Groot, was named director of retail operations for Ferris Coffee. In that role, Groot was responsible for overseeing Ferris’ growing retail operations and continuing to train and develop new talent through JP’s Midwest Barista School, which he founded. J

P’s café staff was informed on their status in light of the renovations over Christmas break. The company stated they wanted to give staff the chance to seek consistent income from another job rather than work uncertain hours. For that reason, staff was laid off while the café went under its face-lift. Staff was welcomed to re-apply for positions once the new shop begins the hiring process.

New renovations will reflect Ferris’ high-end style but still will have a comfortable environment. Ferris hopes to create a unique design of their own as a specialty coffee shop with a modern American breakfast menu. The new look will take a modern take on the classic diner with expansions for a kitchen.

Coffee beans and nuts will have a similar taste with more specialty options to pair with the new food menu.

The shop will have a redone layout but will remain in its current location with many of the familiar faces and warm friendly culture that has been apart of the café for the last twenty years. Ferris appreciates coffee’s ability to be a relational beverage capable of bringing people together.

“We are excited to expand the Ferris name to Holland and build off the culture and culinary appreciation of the area,” shares Ferris Coffee on their website, “We have worked hard to become a trusted source for delicious coffee and we are excited to bring that into the downtown Holland community.”

Ferris Coffee hopes the change will better help them connect to the Grand Rapids and Holland regions and will give the company the ability to provide extended benefits to the customers.

Ferris is very excited to continue growing the Ferris Coffee and Nut brand in the Holland and Hope community.