It used to be that with a smile and a few cents, anyone could get a cup of coffee in Ann Arbor.
Not any more.
These days, a handful of change doesn't cut it in many local popular coffee houses, due to various factors that increase the price of a cup of java.
Students say they are fed up with the rising prices cropping up around town.
"I think prices are a bit too high," said Josh Tuttle, a Music senior. "I should be able to get coffee for under a dollar."
One of the main factors in the rise of coffee prices is a recent strike among coffeeworkers in Colombia and Latin America. This has caused a drop in the amount of coffee beans coming to America.
"I think it's ridiculous," said Music senior Kat Hernandaz, an Ann Arbor resident of 22 years. "The coffee houses will use any excuse to raise their prices."
Ann Arbor began its relationship with coffee houses years ago with a single establishment that was considered a novelty among residents and students. Later, a flood of coffee houses led prices to increase, Hernandez said.
Some of the coffee house managers say they have not yet been affected by the strike but have raised their prices for other reasons.
"Our prices were raised because the company wanted to find plantations that provide a more fair treatment for their workers," said Social Work graduate student Milton Rodriguez, an employee of the Cava Java coffee house on South University Avenue.
The prices on average have risen between 10-25 cents for coffee drinks at Cava Java. This was the first price raise in a year-and-a-half, Rodriguez said.
"The raise in prices will make the coffee drinks more of a luxury," said LSA first-year student Vicor Kocek, who is also an employee at Cava Java.
Some students said that if prices continue to rise, they will forego their coffee-drinking habits.
"If the price rose indefinitely, I would have to have a limit," said Rackham student Rashi Jackman. "My need for coffee isn't infinite."
But some students said they can't resist the coffee urge.
"I haven't noticed the price change," LSA junior Shawn Riordon said. "I don't think it would affect me much. There is really no other place to go between classes."
Retailers said this is not the worst price increase in history.
"This could not be as bad as the frost in Colombia about two and a half years ago," said Kevin Brouwer, a bean bar salesperson at the Espresso Royale Caffe on State Street.
The coffee company with which Espresso Royale deals had not expressed any concern as of three weeks ago, but things might have changed by now, Bouwer said.
Making coffee at home seems to be a favorable alternative to the price increase, some students said.
"I have been making my own coffee more at home. When prices went up I realized I couldn't buy coffee a couple times a day," said LSA senior Stephanie Tolk.
At Gratzi, located on the corner of State and East Liberty Streets, the price increase related more to the jump in state sales tax than the Colombian strike.
"Our business was not really affected by the price increase," LSA senior Chris Felak said. "Our regulars still come. Some complained at first, but they got used to it eventually."
While most coffee shops have raised their prices, Caribou Coffee on State Street has managed to lower its prices on a cup of coffee from $1.16 to $1.10 since opening a few months ago.
The rent in the downtown area has been going up steadily at a rate of seven percent a year, but the Espresso Royale prices have been going up as a result of inflation only, said Ty Harris, manager of the Espresso Royale on State Street.
iOne of the main factors in the rise of coffee prices is a recent strike among coffeeworkers in Colombia and Latin America. This has caused a drop in the amount of coffee beans to America.
"I think it's ridiculous," said Music senior Kat Hernandaz, an Ann Arbor resident of 22 years. "The coffee houses will use any excuse to raise their prices."
Ann Arbor began its relationship with coffee houses years ago with a single establishment that was considered a novelty among residents and students. Later, a flood of coffee houses led prices to increase, Hernandez said.
Some of the coffee house managers say they have not yet been affected by the strike but have raised their prices for other reasons.
"Our prices were raised because the company wanted to find plantations that provide a more fair treatment for their workers," said Social Work graduate student Milton Rodriguez, an employee of the Cava Java coffee house on South University Avenue.
The prices on average have risen between 10-25 cents for coffee drinks at Cava Java. This was the first price raise in a year-and-a-half, Rodriguez said.
"The raise in prices will make the coffee drinks more of a luxury," said LSA first-year student Vicor Kocek, who is also an employee at Cava Java.
Some students said that if prices continue to rise, they will forego their coffee-drinking habits.
"If the price rose indefinitely I would have to have a limit," said Rackham student Rashi Jackman. "My need for coffee isn't infinite."
But some students said they can't resist the coffee urge.
"I haven't noticed the price change," LSA junior Shawn Riordon said. "I don't think it would affect me much. There is really no other place to go between classes."
Retailers said this will not be the worst price increase.
"This could not be as bad as the frost in Colombia about two and a half years ago," said Kevin Brouwer, a bean bar salesperson at the Espresso Royale on State Street.
The coffee company that Espresso Royale deals with had not expressed any concern as of three weeks ago, but things might have changed by now, Bouwer said.
Making coffee at home seems to be a favorable alternative to the price increase.
"I have been making my own coffee more at home. When prices went up I realized I couldn't buy coffee a couple times a day," said LSA senior Stephanie Tolk.
At Gratzi, located on the corner of State Street and East Liberty Street, the price increase related more to the jump in state sales tax than the Colombian strike.
"Our business was not really affected by the price increase," LSA senior Chris Felak said. "Our regulars still come. Some complained at first, but they got used to it eventually."
While most coffee shops have raised their prices, Caribou Coffee on State Street has managed to lower its prices on a cup of coffee from $1.16 to $1.10 since its opening a few months ago.
The rent in the downtown area has been going up steadily at a rate of seven percent a year, but the Espresso Royale prices have a been going up as a result of inflation only, said Ty Harris, manager of the Espresso Royale on State Street.
JONATHAN SUMMER/Daily
Abby Young, an employee at Espresso Royale Caffe on State Street,
prepares an espresso drink for a customer.