New Okemos Coffee Shop Opens in Transformed Auto Repair Space

The bright, community-focused cafe features local art, pastries, and a disco ball from the MSU Surplus Store.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:23am

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating pattern of a steaming coffee cup in vibrant neon hues, conceptually representing the new Okemos Coffee Shop as a modern, artful gathering space.The opening of Okemos Coffee Shop brings a new hub of community energy and local creativity to the Greater Lansing area.Okemos Today

A new coffee shop called Okemos Coffee Shop has opened its doors in Okemos, Michigan, transforming a former auto repair shop into a vibrant community hub with colorful decor, local art and products, and a variety of coffee and pastry offerings.

Why it matters

The opening of Okemos Coffee Shop is part of a broader boom in new restaurant and cafe openings across the Greater Lansing area in 2026, signaling a resurgence in local small business activity and community gathering spaces after the challenges of the pandemic.

The details

Owner Angela Risk spent years renovating the former auto repair shop space, which she described as previously looking "very death-trappy," into the bright, welcoming Okemos Coffee Shop. The cafe now features bold colors, natural light, and a large disco ball purchased from the MSU Surplus Store. In addition to the usual coffee, tea, and refreshment offerings, Okemos Coffee Shop also sells pastries and showcases art, jewelry, and other products from local artisans.

  • Okemos Coffee Shop first began planning the new cafe in 2023.
  • The cafe officially opened its doors on March 20, 2026.

The players

Angela Risk

The owner of Okemos Coffee Shop who spent years transforming the former auto repair shop space into the new cafe.

Okemos Coffee Shop

A new coffee shop that has opened in Okemos, Michigan, featuring a vibrant, community-focused space with local art, pastries, and a variety of coffee and tea offerings.

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What they’re saying

“The space used to look 'very death-trappy' but it looks much different now.”

— Angela Risk, Owner, Okemos Coffee Shop

What’s next

Okemos Coffee Shop plans to continue expanding its selection of local artisan products and hosting community events at the new cafe.

The takeaway

The opening of Okemos Coffee Shop is a positive sign for the local economy and community, as the new cafe transforms a former auto repair space into a vibrant gathering place that celebrates the work of area artists and producers.