Spend Locally: Foster Coffee Company
If you’re looking for a shop that echoes that ‘support local’ mentality, look no further than Foster Coffee Company. Since their reopening in May, Foster has continued their mission of community and supporting local businesses at their East Lansing location – with products from Groovy Donuts, Stone Circle Bakehouse, and Moo-ville. The shop prides itself on buying local, with about 80 percent of their entire company expenses spent within the state. Each store spends 30 to 40 percent of their expenses within a 10 to 15 mile radius of that store, according to co-founder Nicholas Pidek.
For Pidek, the pandemic has only proven how important their motto is: “We love coffee, but we love community and people more.”
“During the biggest part of the lockdown, we were some of people’s only interactions with other humans outside of their house,” said Pidek. “That was pretty special to me – that we could be that place where they could get a sort of high, have an actual conversation, or talk about what they’re going through, grab their cup of coffee, and go back on their way.”
Popular items at Foster include the seasonal spiced vanilla latte and the pumpkin latte. Pidek recommends the ‘wakeup shake,’ a kind of best-kept secret menu item. The shake includes espresso, peanut butter, chocolate, and Moo-ville ice cream.
Another item added to their menu during the pandemic was half-gallon to-go drinks. “Those have been really popular,” Pidek said. “They refrigerate because they have dairy, but you can heat them up in the microwave, or drink them cold.”
Customers can order in-person at the shop, online through Foster’s ordering system, schedule a pickup, or choose curbside delivery. “You can actually pull up there, put your flashers on, and we can bring your order right out,” Pidek said. Foster’s menu is also available for Doordash delivery within a 5-mile radius. Orders more than $50 include a free delivery.
Foster also offers a reward system with each purchase earning you a star. After 10 stars, you’re awarded $4 off any purchase – online or in person. Foster Coffee Company is open Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.