Kaya Coffee House and The Malt Shop close, future unclear
Two staples of the Central Michigan University and Mount Pleasant community have closed.
Kaya Coffee House and The Malt Shop, closed on June 3. Tim Otteman, CMU Department of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services Administration faculty member and an owner of The Malt Shop, said the closure was due to a legal issue with the building's landlord.
A sign that reads "We are currently CLOSED for summer cleaning" has been taped to The Malt Shop's door.
Both businesses are named in civil lawsuits in Isabella County’s small claims court against the city of Mount Pleasant for unpaid property taxes. The Malt Shop's court date was June 7. The court date for Kaya is on June 21.
When asked about the taxes, Otteman said that has nothing to do with his legal dispute with the building's landlord, and that "all taxes are paid on the Malt Shop front."
Otteman said there is "not much else" he can say at this time about the futures of the two businesses.
Kaya Coffee House previously resided across the street from The Malt Shop, until April 1, 2017, when it moved into its building, located at 1088 S. University. Emily Miller, one of Kaya's previous owners, said she sold it that same day.
Rob Burgan, Kaya's general manager, would neither confirm or deny any comments about the future of the coffee house. When asked on June 6 about its closing, he said "Tim's comments are my comments, we are one in the same."
