Café Rica Plans Another Move in Battle Creek

It looks like Battle Creek's Cafe Rica will be on the move again, but its all part of the plan.  Café Rica, founded by brothers Tristan and Jackson Bredehoft, started out in downtown Battle Creek in 2016.  It was one of the first small businesses in the BC Cargo Area, at Hamblin and McCamly.

The next step was a move to the shared  temporary incubation kitchen space with Simply Sensational Berries.     Now, plans are  for Café Rica to move east to the other end of Michigan Avenue, and share space with JPG Recources.

It's all possible due to a  $208,618 grant from Battle Creek Unlimited  to JPG through the downtown Real Estate Improvement Fund.  The fund was made possible by a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation aimed at addressing significant hurdles faced by those wanting to invest in downtown by focusing on revitalizing vacant space, improving code compliance, resolving structural and mechanical issues, and supporting other upgrades to bring unoccupied properties back into productive use.

JPG Resources plans to use the grant funds for renovation and build out of ground floor retail space in their building at 62 E. Michigan Ave. with the intent to house a permanent location for Café Rica on the ground floor.

“We are honored that JPG Resources and Battle Creek Unlimited have confidence in Café Rica and have given us the opportunity to help revitalize downtown Battle Creek,” said Tristan and Jackson Bredehoft. “We are eager to not only further develop our footprint, but to become a community staple as we expand our food options and become a full-service café.”

JPG Resources, founded by Jeff Grogg in 2009, is a food and beverage consulting group based in Battle Creek with a team of over 40 food business professionals.  Their mission is to use their food industry experiences to make client visions come to life – no matter if their brand is about to be born or needs to be reborn.  Upon completion of the renovation, JPG Resources plans to relocate its consulting offices and food labs into the building, on the upper floor while leaving room for expansion.

“JPG Resources is thrilled to have opened our downtown offices and even more excited to continue to support downtown development via this partnership with Café Rica, made possible by support from BCU,” Grogg said. “Not only does Café Rica make great coffee, but we’ve gotten to know Jackson and Tristan and are inspired by their vision for their business and commitment to growing here in Battle Creek.”

“We are honored to play a role in the revitalization of downtown while helping companies like JPG Resources and Café Rica reach their full potential,” said Joe Sobieralski, President & CEO of Battle Creek Unlimited. “Café Rica’s expansion is exciting and will add to momentum underway in downtown Battle Creek.”

Sobieralski and at least one of the brothers will be guest of Tim Collins on the 95.3 Morning Show "Food City" segment this Wednesday, October 23rd, following the 8 O'Clock news.