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Grand Rapids, Michigan, Michigan · Specialty Coffee Brand Deep Dive

Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge

Editorial sacred-geometry artwork for Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge; not a documentary photograph
IndependentRoasts its own coffeeSourcing: Origin / region level
TagsLantern Coffee Bar and LoungeMichigan coffee roastersColombiaHondurasIndependentOrigin / region levelRoasts in-house
Visit Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge's site

Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge is a popular, multi-level specialty coffee shop located in downtown Grand Rapids. Originally a cafe serving other roasters, the business transitioned to in-house roasting to support direct-trade relationships and expand into e-commerce. The shop is highly regarded as a community-focused space that hosts events and supports local charitable initiatives.

Ownership
The business is independent and co-owned by Jonathan Bailey and Steve Wiltjer.
Founded
2013
Roasting
Reported to roast in-house.
What it's known for
Lantern Coffee is known for its distinct, multi-level downtown atmosphere that serves as a community hub, as well as its commitment to sourcing coffee directly from small farmers.
Sourcing countries
Colombia · Honduras
Farm-level sourcing
The brand works directly with small farmers in Colombia and Honduras. They emphasize avoiding bottom-floor pricing and focus on intentional, high-quality selections for their offerings.
In the news

Recent news and media coverage about Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge, as documented by outside outlets. We link to the original reporting and do not rewrite or endorse it.

2026-10-23 · FOX 17 West Michigan
Acrisure Amphitheater wraps its inaugural season, a look at the numbers

Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge owner Jon Bailey noted that a collaboration with the new Acrisure Amphitheater for a 5 Seconds of Summer concert helped bring new customers to the coffee shop. The partnership highlights the impact of the venue's inaugural season on local downtown businesses.

2026-09-11 · WOOD TV8
How local cafes are preparing for ArtPrize

As an official venue for the ArtPrize festival, Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge reports modest sales increases during the event. Owner Jon Bailey noted that the festival serves as a valuable tool for brand awareness, helping the shop reach new customers who were previously unaware of its location.

Sources used in this deep dive
Research disclosure — this profile was compiled from public online sources on 2026-10-25. This company overview is not a tasting review. Original tasting reviews are labeled separately when they exist. Ownership, roasting and sourcing details are attributed to documented sources. While the brand confirms direct relationships with farmers in Colombia and Honduras, specific farm or producer names are not publicly listed on their website.

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