Kaya owners to increase security, add gender-neutral bathrooms
Kaya owners Emily Miller and Abigail Chambers bought the shop in June, and are working on a few updates.
When Central Michigan University alumna Emily Miller first heard that Kaya Coffeehouse was up for sale, she jokingly told a friend that she’d look into buying it.
However, once the purchase agreement packets arrived, the then-director of a marketing firm in Houston decided that owning Kaya sounded a lot more fun than working in the corporate world. Her partner, Abigail Chambers, plans on transferring to CMU after taking some credits at Mid Michigan Community College.
“This is honestly the most comfortable decision either of us has made. It’s Kaya. It’s home, so it was really easy to come back,” Chambers said.
While comfortable with their decision, the partners have faced challenges since purchasing the coffeehouse. A burglary occurred during the morning of Aug. 20, forcing them to install extra security measures, including a new camera and alarm system. The perpetrator has not been found, as police are still processing evidence from the crime lab. An undisclosed amount of money was taken from the shop.
The time of purchase also created a challenge for Miller and Chambers. They bought Kaya in June, which is when business begins to decrease due to students leaving for the summer. However, since the beginning of the fall semester, Kaya’s business has more than tripled, the owners said.
“The people we meet is easily one of the best parts of owning Kaya. I have to hand it to our regulars,” Chambers said. “They have made this the most fun we could have ever imagined having.”
While they plan on making some small adjustments to Kaya, such as adding a new breakfast sandwich named the “Downtown Abby," any other changes will be a “mild facelift”, said Miller.
The mugs and plates will be updated due to chipping, and the bathrooms will soon become gender-neutral to further Kaya’s open and accepting environment, Chambers said.
“My motto is that if Kaya doesn’t discriminate, neither (do) our toilets,” Chambers said.
The former location of the Student Book Exchange is for sale, and if purchased, Kaya may be forced to relocate. So far, any offers made to purchase the SBX have been turned down.
The partners hope to keep Kaya in the same location even if the SBX is purchased. However, in case they are forced to relocate, they have taken photos of the inside of Kaya to “mirror it the best way they can,” said Chambers.
“If not, there are plenty of options around Mount Pleasant that we can do. The atmosphere wouldn’t change at all. We will do the best to our ability to keep it the exact same,” said Miller. “We love Kaya. It’s like that open, hidden bubble in Mount Pleasant where everyone is accepted.”
