Get to know Ypsilanti through the people and places making our community shine. 


Connecting over coffee, meeting for dinner, and browsing niche shops are some of our favorite ways to spend time in Ypsi. But it’s our neighbors and business owners who bring the fun and funky vibes that we know and love! 

In part one of this portrait series, local photographer Leisa Thompson, in partnership with the Ypsilanti DDA, captured images offering an inside look at some of Ypsi’s beloved businesses and the folks behind them.   


Meet the owners and discover what inspires their craft.   


 

Basil Babe   

Meet Haluthai Brzys and her mother, Ying, co-owners of Basil Babe. 

An adult daughter and mother smile for the camera, standing behind a counter inside of a restaurantWhat started as a mother-daughter dumpling pop-up has grown into a full Thai restuarant focused on culture, community, and great food. Hulathai, a Ypsi native and EMU alum, teamed up with her mother Ying, who was born and raised in Bankok and owner of Siam Square for over 20 years. This power pair brings family tradition and their own flavor to every dish, and is always made with love.

 

Dine at Basil Babe

Basil Babe

  • 701 W Cross St

Mother and daughter duo specializing in Thai food, dumpies, and beyond. What started as a passion project to bring the community together one meal at a time, the duo hosted Basil Babe pop-ups around Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, and Detroit. Now, visitors can visit Basil Babe's permanent…

Basil Babe

Ohana Lounge   ​

Meet Darius P. Smith, owner of Ohana Lounge. 

Man holds coffee in plastic cup as he smiles and looks to the left. The man is wearing a blue andd red hawaiian shirt and sitting at a chess table inside a cafe.Inspired by island hospitality, Ohana was created to become a unique space by a proud community member. This Hawaiian-themed spot serves great coffee with chill vibes, ideal for connecting with friends.  

 

Relax at Ohana Lounge

Ohana Lounge

  • 11 E Cross St.

Ohana means family/community and that's exactly who they are! Ohana coffee lounge brings Zingerman's coffee, refreshers, gelato, Sidetracks mocktails, and Dom bakery pastries. Embrace the spirit of aloha at Ohana Lounge. They offer a unique experience, blending the warmth of…

Ohana Lounge

Bloodroot Herb Shop & Apothecary

Meet Alex Crofoot, owner of Bloodroot Herb Shop & Apothecary. 

Person stands inside of a store and smiles and poses with their arms posed to the side, wearing a brown, strapless long sleeve dressPrioritizing real-life community care, each product is made with intention, accessibility, and a whole lot of herbal nerd joy. This is your go-to for herbalism classes, pop-up free clinics, with sliding-scale access and collective care.  

 

Shop at Bloodroot

Bloodroot Herb Shop

  • 208 W Michigan Ave

Bloodroot Herb Shop wants to create a communal space that generates reciprocity for bettering relationships with neighbors and more. The shop carries bulk herbs, herbal wares, plants, zines, and more. The team's goal is to offer accessible education, sliding scale health…

Bloodroot Herb Shop

Bridge Community Cafe   

Meet Sierra Lambert, owner of Bridge Community Cafe. 

Woman poses and smiles for the camera while sitting on table and holding a yellow coffee mug. A large mural of an eagle catching a snake, surrounded by flowers is painted on the wall behind her.

Everything at Bridge is centered around making Ypsi feel like home. The cafe doubles as a hub for local creators and small businesses, offers pay-it-forward meals, and is launching an incubator kitchen in an inviting and inclusive space.    

 

Connect at Bridge

Bridge Community Cafe

  • 217 W Michigan Ave

Community focused, inclusive coffee shop serving coffee and housemade specialty drinks, baked goods and select food items. Welcoming atmosphere with lively plants and colorful murals inside.

Bridge Community Cafe

Water Tower Distilling Co. 

Meet Skott Schoonover, co-owner behind Water Tower Distilling. 

Man smiles and stands behind a bar counter as he holds a glass full of a beverage, almost as if he is inviting you to take the glass from him.Skott’s passion brings this new bar to life in a beautiful downtown space. The distillery specializes in micro-batch gins, whiskeys, and vodkas. Every bottle is filled, labeled, and hand-numbered, so you can count on quality. 

 

Grab Drinks at the Distillery

Water Tower Distilling Co.

  • 23 N. Washington St.

Water Tower Distilling Co is a producer of premium spirits whose values are Community, Pride, and Quality, with a focus on inclusivity. They are a proud Michigan Craft Distillery based out of Ypsilanti, which has a rich tie to American history. Crafted with purpose and character…

Water Tower Distilling Co.

This is just a handful of businesses highlighted in the portrait series organized by the Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority. For more information, visit ypsilantidda.org.

  


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