Coffee shops swap spots

In a city known for its competitive coffee and sandwich shops, it can be difficult to decide where to eat. But sometimes it's hard enough to keep track of which shop is which.

Amer's Delicatessen swapped its Michigan Union location with the Cava Java coffee shop on Main Street during winter break. The shops switched locations because Amer's was unable to operate a deli in the Union and Cava Java wanted another location closer to campus, said Lisa Chase, Cava Java's general manager.

"It's been really good for everybody," Chase said.

Chase, who previously worked at the Cava Java on Main Street, said that being located in the Union is better for business, but she misses people from their old location.

EMILY NATHAN/Daily LSA senior Melissa Klien sells coffee yesterday at Cava Java in the Michigan Union. Cafe Java's new Union location was occupied by Amer's until Amer's moved to Cava Java's Main Street location during winter break.

"I miss my regulars from my other store but I've had a few of our old regulars visit us here, and that has been nice," Chase said.

Amer's owner Amer Bathish said the decision to switch was like a "beautiful marriage - the deal was put together and we did it in one day.

"In business, it's not common where you have two people in competition with each other that you can work out something like this," Bathish said.

Tabitha Treber, an employee who worked at the Cava Java on Main Street and followed the shop to the Union, said the Union is better for the coffee shop atmosphere than its previous location.

"We're doing a lot more business over here," Treber said. "People on Main Street thought the store would have sandwiches and more food products than we do. They were also an older, more business-like crowd that was always on the go. Here the students are more relaxed, coming here to drink coffee and study."

Some students said they hadn't even noticed the location change.

"I like both Cava Java and Amer's, so I would come to either (in the Union)," said LSA senior Kathy Amrose.

Rackham students Regine Ostine and Tyrone Forman said it was the convenient location of the Union that brought them to Cava Java, not the name of the shop.

"It's local, it's convenient, it's the Michigan Union," said Ostine.

"I like the new high chairs," said Forman, adding that he hadn't noticed any other major changes in the menu or service of the new shop, except an expanded dessert selection.

Gabriel Kerr, manager of the Amer's Main Street location, said he has already experienced the advantages of the shop's location.

"It was a great move," Kerr said. "We profit off of having a deli on Main (Street) and being able to serve food. In the Union there was too much competition because they were flooded in the basement with all the food places."

Ann Arbor resident Dorothy Mcleod said she was happy to see the new Amer's deli open close to her workplace.

"Before they didn't have a good selection of things to eat," Mcleod said. "Now this is quick and they have a lot of choices which is great for when you have limited amount of time for lunch."

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