As you stroll down E. Warren Ave, draw your eyes to a vibrant building with striking purples and grays that boasts a larger-than-life mural on the right side, adding to its charm. That building is home to The Craft Cafe Detroit, a safe space that brings people together, promotes happiness, and inspires conversation, introspection, and positive energy.
The Craft Cafe Detroit, owned and operated by Candice Meeks, was borne out of her deep love for art, reflected in the diverse range of services offered at the studio. These services include canvas painting, wine glass painting, and vision board creation, all tailored to bring out your inner artist and help you express yourself creatively. The studio is also available for private space rental for any event. The services provided by The Craft Cafe Detroit know no bounds. Both young and old can enjoy them.
The studio’s physical location is a testament to the nurturing of a dream that first started in Candice’s living room. While immersed in her creative process, sipping a glass of wine and painting, the idea of having a dedicated space in her community for artists like herself struck her. The thought of being able to share her passion with others and create a welcoming environment where people could come together to develop and learn was too exciting to ignore. With that spark of inspiration, Candice decided to take the leap and turn her dream into reality.
I called my cousin and said I’m going to open an art and coffee shop. I told him I needed a logo, and within 10 minutes, he returned with the design I use today.
From there, Candice began researching and exploring different programs in the area that could support her in launching her business. Eventually, she came across ProsperUs Detroit, which piqued her interest. Candice enrolled in our entrepreneurship training program, where she gained valuable insight into developing a comprehensive business plan that outlined her business’s objectives and goals.
Candice stated that finding a suitable location was initially one of the most significant challenges. During the training, She met the landlord who owned the building on Macarthur Blvd. This location was ideal for Meeks and served as her first space.
The Craft Cafe has experienced much success and growth since moving from its old space to its new location on 15641 E. Warren Ave. This growth has also presented some challenges for her as an entrepreneur. Despite her best efforts, Candice is still in the early stages of development and is looking to hire another assistant to help her manage and run the cafe.
Candice handles all aspects of running the cafe independently, which can sometimes be daunting. Candice desires more consistent hours, but balancing her cafe with her nine-to-five job presents difficulties. Despite the challenges, Candice is committed to her business and community. She’s a true leader, organizing monthly food drives with Gleaners and Morningside. She generously provides her space for financial and business workshops that support other entrepreneurs to launch their businesses.
Candice has plans to grow her business by introducing a coffee and tea shop section. Her vision is to have the cafe open for longer hours during the day so that customers can come in and enjoy their specialty drinks and pastries while working or being creative. Candice intends to collaborate with local businesses such as Eastside Roasters and others in the area to source her products locally and support the community.
If you want to learn more about The Craft Cafe, you can find them on Facebook, Instagram, or their website.
