Grand Rapids Coffee Shop and Death Cafe Shutting Down

A cafe serving coffee and tea while creating a space for the community to connect and have discussions about death is closing.

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We first told you about The Mortals Cafe and Confection opening up inside Little Space Studio at 111 Division Ave. South in September of 2021. The Mortals was the first death cafe in Michigan:

Originating in London in 2011, death cafés are not seen as a physical place, but rather a community gathering for individuals to openly and comfortably discuss mortality over coffee.

Owner of The Mortals, Abbey Hunter, told Crain's Grand Rapids at the time,

Familiarizing ourselves with death allows us to live a more fulfilled life... The more we talk about it, the more comfortable we can be with it and find a balance in living.

The Mortals' globally inspired menu includes coffee and espresso-based drinks like Americanos, Mochas, and Miels, made with Grandville's Little Foot Roasters' beans.

They also serve egg coffee and Phin-style coffee, an alternative slow drip brew popular in Vietnam, made with100% Robusta beans from Vietnam. You'll also find a variety of tea, including The Mortal's "Mortali-Teas" - proprietary blends of herbal tisanes designed to aid certain areas and functions of the body.

The Mortals often holds special events like the monthly Cafe Mortel, an event where everyone is welcome to a "no-agenda, casual discussion about all things death and dying" at the space. They've also hosted game nights.

Hunter recently shared to Facebook that The Mortels would be closing:

I have some sad news to tell folks. The Harris Building is currently under a pending sale and I am not comfortable with the new management direction. With respect to members of our community, we are choosing to care for their comfort and voices over our continued business in their space...

It crushes me to put down something I have been so passionate about as a means to harbor casual conversations around death. It seemed we were just getting started on rolling out some really cool programs and events.

The Mortals Cafe's last day in business is September 29, 2023.

Hunt says they will continue to  be an advocate in the death space and will continue to host events.

Keep up with The Mortals on Facebook for updates.