The Strutt has newfound swagger in its step

By Kalyn Golland
Western Herald

Western Herald File Photo

If you think you know The Strutt, think again.
You may have just returned from your summer vacation, but for Strutt owner, Darren Bain, this summer has been a time of hard work and innovation that has brought many changes to his venue.

The Strutt is Kalamazoo’s only combination bar and café.

“What is different about The Strutt this year? We are more established, the name is established now, the bar is established,” said Bain, “It’s a lot more like a club at night than just a coffee shop. It’s definitely more of a coffee shop in the morning, and more of a music venue at night, and it’s just getting better and better.”

It’s this diversity that sets the Strutt apart from the other bars and coffee shops in Kalamazoo.

Mornings still provide a quiet atmosphere for sipping coffee and cranking out homework, but The Strutt really springs to life at night as the place fills with people waiting to hear the next gig.

Music is just another area where Bain has broadened his business,

“We have a brand new big stage. We will be booking national acts now… and we have the new sound system to go with bigger bands,” he said.

The Strutt also provides a place where local bands can put down their sound with The Strutt Studios, an intimate recording room recently installed in the basement.

This fall is no exception to the musical frenzy with the production of what Bain calls “an environmental album,” that will feature Michigan musicians.

Sales from the album will benefit the organization 350, which devotes itself to reducing C02 emissions in our atmosphere.

Bain recognizes the progress the venue has made in the last months, “The good musicians and good bands are starting to recognize us as a good place to play,” he said.

Kalamazoo local, and Strutt frequenter, Ambre Wright, explained why she keeps coming back to the Strutt, “It keeps bringing more and more local bands to play, the owners are friendly and interact with their customers, and it’s the only place in town that specializes in beer and coffee.”

In addition to the music scene, the Strutt boasts a new menu expanding beyond lattes and mochas to specialized pizzas and crepes.
In the future, The Strutt will have its own coffee roaster on-site. This winter, Bain is aiming to start building a microbrewery in the basement.

Both of these projects will bring a new challenge to Bain as he heads their construction.

“It’s just baby steps,” he said,

“First we had to get the big stage in and the new sound system, and now putting our own beer on tap is going to be a test.”

The evolution of his business is not something Bain shies away from. and it is that drive that leaves his customers looking forward to what is coming next.

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Posted by HeraldAdmin on Aug 30 2009. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
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