For students at Ferris State, coffee isn’t just a drink. It’s woven into the fabric of their campus life.
Many gravitate toward coffee shops for much more than a caffeine boost. Whether it’s Biggby Coffee, Starbucks or other local coffee options, each location offers its unique blend of convenience, comfort and community. Coffee shops have become vital spaces for socializing, studying and taking a break from the daily grind.
Big Rapids Biggby Coffee manager Julie Denslow believed that coffee shops are about more than what’s in the cup.
“Whether it is coffee or any other drink, it brings people together,” Denslow said.
Denslow sees her Biggby location as a community hub where students, locals and regular customers interact, creating a warm atmosphere that feels welcoming. In her view, Biggby isn’t just a place to grab a quick drink, it’s an experience. One that invites people to pause, connect and feel at home.
Among Biggby’s most popular drinks are their cold brew coffee and Red Bull refreshers, offering students the energy boost they need to power through classes, exams and late-night study sessions.
For Ferris students, coffee shops are more than pit stops, they’re destinations. These spaces offer a reprieve from the stresses of academic life. Students can gather to work together, socialize or find a cozy corner to focus on assignments. For some, it’s the perfect environment to unwind.
“I think anywhere there’s coffee, it makes it an atmosphere where there’s a sense of community or rest,” Denslow said.
To her, coffee shops are special because they create a unique space where students can take a break, find inspiration or relax with the comforting sounds of brewing coffee in the background.
Criminal justice sophomore Mal DeHaan often visits Starbucks for its convenience but agrees that coffee shops like Biggby have something extra to offer.
“I see people at Starbucks and Biggby all the time,” DeHaan said.
DeHaan preferred iced drinks and often reached for a Red Bull for energy, but sees the social aspect of coffee culture as significant to many students demonstrating how coffee shops offer a broad range of options that appeal to different tastes and needs.
“I feel like some people use it as a necessity, but for me, when I need energy, I lean more towards Red Bull,” DeHaan said.
Reed City native Belle Whipple owns and operates Belle’s Coffeehouse, one of the newest stores to hit the Big Rapids coffee scene. In her view, the locally owned atmosphere at Belle’s allows her team to make students feel at home in ways that large chains may not be able to.
She explains that the staff chooses music that resonates with younger customers, setting a playlist of “music people my age would listen to” instead of a typical corporate mix. Small touches like these can make a big difference in creating a welcoming environment.
“Something as simple as the music can impact somebody’s day,” Whipple said. This attention to detail fosters a sense of belonging many students crave in their busy, often stressful lives.
Whipple also believes that independent coffee shops offer something unique in terms of comfort and space. At Belle’s, students can choose from a variety of seating options, allowing them to settle into a cozy corner or find a spot to study in peace.
“I think coming into a place where you feel comfortable and you feel like you can stay a long time and relax,” Whipple said. “I don’t think you can get that from a chain coffee shop.”
For Whipple, it’s about creating a space where students feel they can slow down and take a break from the pressures of college life.
The coffee culture at Ferris State University is vibrant and multifaceted. For students, coffee shops are an essential part of their daily routine, a convenient way to grab caffeine on the way to class.
For others, these spots are social spaces, offering a chance to connect with friends or meet new people.
For many, local coffee shops like Biggby are much-needed places of comfort, providing a sense of community and relaxation amid the busy college lifestyle.
Ultimately, the coffee culture at Ferris is about much more than coffee—it’s about connection, convenience and comfort. Whether they’re stopping by Starbucks for a quick latte or settling into Biggby for a long study session, Ferris students are united by the comforting ritual of coffee.
As Denslow’s team and other local shops continue to serve the campus community, they help to create a coffee culture that reflects Ferris students’ needs, tastes and desires for a sense of home.