Mike Knorr

Male

Grand Rapids, MI

United States

Profile Information:

What is your position in the coffee industry?
coffee shop owner
Where are you located? ( City and Country )
Grand Rapids, MI, USA
How many years have you been in the industry?
2
If you are a barista or shop, are you interested in a barista exchange with another coffee shop/barista?
maybe
Tell us more about your coffee shop or barista skills.
Speaking for the shop, we see the value in building relationships with other shops and other baristas. We have learned a ton by talking to other baristas in our area and have had great times letting our friends in the coffee business get behind our bar and play. We are fun, young, and full of hope for coffee in our city. We believe that building up other shops helps create an energized customer base that will also find value in what we do.
What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?
Anywhere would be fun, but realistically, the midwest.
About Me:
I started working a crap closing shift at a well established coffee shop in town and caught the bug. Tired of an "ok is good enough" attitude, I took a deep breath and went for it on my own. The shop is new, I'm still learning, but things are looking up and I am excited to serve a latte that makes someone stop and pay attention.
About My Company:
The Sparrows Coffee Tea and Newsstand. We opened Nov. 16 2007. On top of everything coffee, we serve about 30 loose leaf teas, crepes, 100+ magazines, daily newspapers, and an awesome atmosphere.
What is your favorite thing about the coffee industry?
The exitement it still elicits in people who have been at it for years.
Website:
http://www.myspace.com/thestraydogcafe

Comment Wall:

  • Mike Spence

    Hi Mike, Welcome to bX! Sounds like a neat shop. Let me know if we can ever help you with any POS needs and have fun here.
    Mike@SelbySoft.com
    800-454-4434

    Oct 14, 2008

  • John Despres

    Hi, Mike. I live right around the corner from The Sparrows, just east of Fuller. I'll stop in and say hi. As to the Pavoni, we just stripped it down with abandon. It works great!

    Oct 14, 2008

  • Trevor

    Welcome to the exchange Mr. Knorr.

    Oct 15, 2008

  • John Despres

    Good morning, Mike. No, I didn't strip it down personally. Looking back, I see I was misleading. I was ready to but Kurt got to it before I could. Kurt of Rowster Coffee on Cherry at Imagerie Gallery. Don't be afraid of it - just tear into it. For probably less than $250.00 you can refurbish the whole thing and have a great working machine. By the way, my wife loves your shop!

    Oct 16, 2008

  • John Despres

    HA! I ain't afraid o' no brewer

    Oct 16, 2008

  • Chris Apap

    HA! I like your optimism for Marty and myself. Thanks for the link, I'll check it out while working through my hangover today. Maybe I'll see you at the shop tonight when I punch in?

    Oct 19, 2008

  • Chris Apap

    I had dreams last night of making the perfect rosetta and even invented one... it was a stegosaurus... that one will take a lot of practice but how cool would that be?!

    Oct 20, 2008

  • Chris Apap

    BURNINATED! That must have been amazing. Almost as amazing as the unicorn you made last night.

    Oct 20, 2008

  • Lorena Slager

    You look so hot in that apron.

    Oct 20, 2008

  • Chris Apap

    Dude, saw your comment on the west michigan coffee people page. This is something we could do as some low-production advertisement for the shop. Initially to boost bulk coffee sales (for the workplace) but it will also generate more foot traffic. We can talk about this later.

    Oct 22, 2008

  • Marty Garner

    I tots wanna be yr friend.

    Oct 25, 2008

  • Jonathan wesley White

    You were wearing glasses and I didn't have stripes in my hair.

    It seems we were BOTH in disguise...

    good to jam with you on Friday.

    Oct 27, 2008

  • Alex Chojolan

    Hey! How are you doing Mike, Well hopefully i can pay you a visit friday or saturday.

    Oct 30, 2008

  • Kristen

    I have a friend in grand rapids! i should send her your way for some coffee :)

    Nov 8, 2008

  • Jonathan wesley White

    you guys gonna be in the shop on Friday at all?

    Nov 13, 2008

  • Jonathan wesley White

    TUBULAR!

    Nov 13, 2008

  • Jonathan wesley White

    I'm in your shop.
    Right now.
    seriously.
    right now.

    Nov 15, 2008

  • Jonathan wesley White

    Sorry I wasn't there for the real party, my friend.
    I really needed to finish that painting.
    Was it as awesome as I imagine?

    Nov 18, 2008

  • Miro

    http://www.baristaexchange.com/group/greatlakesbaristas

    Jan 5, 2009

  • Alex Chojolan

    Hey! Hope your doing good Mike, Well i was in your shop last week and i just wanted to tell you that i like your shop. Now that i know where it is i probably with you another visit and hope this time i get to see you.

    Jan 13, 2009