The Sparrows
| Address: | 1035 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USA |
| Phone: | +1 616-608-3375 |
| Site: | thesparrowsgr.com |
| Rating: | 4.5 |
| Working: | 6:30AM–9PM 6:30AM–9PM 6:30AM–9PM 6:30AM–9PM 6:30AM–7PM 8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 17
RA
Rachel B
I used the contact form on the website to ask a question about the size of the space to see if it would work for a group event Im planning. After several days, I still hadnt heard back. (Please dont have a contact form on your website if you dont plan to respond to messages sent through it!) I eventually just called and the employee who answered seemed to be in a very big hurry to get me off the phone, even though it was a short call. Before I could even finish my question, he interrupted me. I havent been to the place yet, so maybe Ill eventually try it out and update my rating, if appropriate. But if they cant be bothered to answer simple questions, I somehow doubt I would enjoy this place...
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Drew Day
I have lived in the neigborhood since the 90s and would have been a regular at Sparrows if it wasnt for the rude tall hipster barista. One day I asked him what coffees they had on tap that day and he snidely replied "Thats what the signs are for" as he pointed to some small index cards 6 feet from the counter written in a barely legible 6 point comic sans font. That was my last time in there. Dont go here if you are a regular person trying to get a coffee while on your way to work they will treat you very rudely for not conforming to their employees hipster idealism. Also you could get the same quality of coffee at Speedway only it might be hot. Wont be back jerks!
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Eric Faber
Best place in GR to go if you want to chat with friends or sit by yourself reading a book. This shop and Lantern on Commerce really set themselves above and beyond the many great coffee shops GR offers. The selection of coffee is always excellent, and the excellent lattes made here are among the few that Ive had that I actually enjoy. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, quickly developing a rapport with the patrons. (And they have excellent taste in music) I highly recommend this place if you are looking for somewhere to hang out for a few hours. Be warned: You might end up buying 2 or 3 cups of coffee while sitting there.
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Vera DeVera
Hipster cafe without the pretension. The baristas were genuinely friendly and made my Lady Lazarus with care and flourish. Great latte art is a hard to find. As soon as you approach the door, you know The Sparrows is going to have bohemian chic decor--theres a ladder serving as shelving for succulents and other houseplants. Theres outside seating and also magazines for purchase. The Lady Lazarus with soy milk, honey, and lavender was on the sweet side. Next time, Ill get a regular latte.
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Samuel Louis Schaefer
It is a cute home renovated into a coffee and tea shop. It has the cracks and creeks from the wood floors, and wall panels. Very calm and chill setting, but also can be a lively fun place. The patio outside is really pretty and I love sitting out there. The tea selection is vast and always recycling itself. I always find something new and exciting every time I visit. As of a year ago, they completely switched to MadCap Coffee, which was the best move they ever made!
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Nene J. Phillips
Ive only been once but it was a very cosy atmosphere. Really laid back & chill. Relaxed music, rustic decor & friendly staff. Im fairly new to coffee & they helped a lot. I tried the Major Major & with four sugars, it was amazing. Its a bit costly if youre used to gas station coffee like me but ultimately not too expensive. My only real criticism is that the tables & chairs are kinda small. But overall, I like this place & will be coming back.
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P LO
Was looking for a good coffee spot so I found this one, ignored the few bad reviews and am glad I did! Quick and friendly service. Great coffee, had the Lady Lazarus, came with latte art and an everything bagel with cream cheese! Everything was very fresh and delicious. Atmosphere is great with people happy and talking while others quietly working! Would highly recommend!! Great job baristas❤
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A Private User
Not really sure why everyone is calling this a hipster place. Its a coffee shop thats not a chain; theyre all kind of hipster-ish. If its comfortable and friendly, why would that even matter? So: great service, really good coffee/espresso, really good music. Huge tea selection and magazines and news papers. I highly recommend this place. Edit: Try the Behemoth! So tiny, but so good.
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Joey Hidalgo
The latte was excellent! The barista at the counter seemed very knowledgeable about all sorts of coffee and tea. The wifi was fast and reliable, and the calm atmosphere makes a a nice place to get and hour or so of work done. One downside is that all of the electrical outlets were few and they were all in the back of the shop, and it gets crowded very quickly back there.
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John Sandvig
I was about the only one in the coffee shop and they kicked me out because I didnt buy a drink. The policy is not welcoming to people of all economic groups. I believe it is rude and I will not support them. I think this policy is going to hurt them more than help them. I think they should be more welcoming to people who cant buy a drink every day.... also expensive.
MI
Michael Salamey
If you like tea, this is the spot! They have many varieties and really cool infusers. Great place for a first date or a quick coffee or latte. They have snacks as well. Not great vegan options (on the snacks, but plenty of vegan teas and lattes) but some. Quaint atmosphere with plenty of decor items to prompt conversations (such as a wall with books and magazines).
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Paul Ostrander
Very warm and welcoming cafe! They have a wonderful loose leaf tea selection (they also sell in bulk), tons of coffee options, and possibly the most flavorful everything bagel I have ever had. The baristas are very knowledgeable (especially about the teas, which is a nice change of pace) and friendly. This space really shines during the Christmas season!
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Morgan Springsteen
If youre looking for a cozy, hole in the wall cafe with good drinks (maybe a bit over priced, but arent they all?), a friendly and competent staff, WiFi, and some aesthetic character, look no further. Its small, so if its busy, finding a table can be tricky, but Ive spent many hours there. Great place for a quiet conversation with a friend.
MI
Mimi Ray
Love stopping in at The Sparrows! I would recommend everything on their drink menu as I have tried most of it. My recommendation: Lady Lazarus. The atmosphere is calm. Sit on the patio on the side of the building if you can. They also sell Rise Grand Rapids vegan and gluten free pastries which is a must!
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Filip Zadro
I love this spot. Having grown up in Europe around a rather storied and serious coffee culture, its nice to see people here who appreciate good coffee, including the craft of its brewing. Also, as far as a work environment is concerned, things here remain pretty quiet for most of the day.
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Jessica Setter
They have different flavors of boba (bubble tea) and the last time I was there I had a iced mocha with tapioca boba. It was not only delicious but worth going all the way to Wealthy St. Also, the espresso was really smooth, it tasted great going down and was an excellent treat.
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Janelle Post
I dont know anything about coffee or lattes, but the friendly staff does a great job of explaining differences between certain drinks and dont make you feel stupid for not knowing..and everything from the boba tea to the lattes to the scones I have tried has been delicious.
