Dearborn’s third annual Coffee Week kicked off Sept. 25 at the city’s Peace Park West. While other municipalities typically host bar crawls or offer beer tents, Dearborn features coffee, allowing those of the Islamic faith to fully participate in the festivities.

The event was put on by Dearborn’s East and West Development Authorities in partnership with Dix-Vernor and Warren. Scents of espresso, pumpkin spice, and freshly brewed coffee filled the air to the delight of coffee connoisseurs. Custom mug painting, Henna Art, apparel, music, and games helped make the event fun for all ages.

The city is experiencing a boom in coffee culture, and residents now dub it the “Coffee Capital.” With over 40 coffee shops within 25 square miles, some in Dearborn and the surrounding area wonder if there may be too many coffee houses.

Yemeni monks first cultivated coffee. As coffee spread throughout Yemen, a port city named Mocha became a famous destination for transporting beans to the rest of the world. Today we use the name for one of the most famous variations of coffee that is consumed daily here in the United States.

Even though coffee houses have been around since as early as the 15th century, the cultivation of caffeine capitalists has risen significantly. Coffee consumption isn’t the only thing residents crave. Sitting together and enjoying a cup has long helped bring the community together. Locals who attended Dearborn’s coffee week expressed their love for the variety and abundance of these businesses.

Madison Thompson, a self-proclaimed coffee lover, said, “We love the variety of coffee and all the different kinds. You have coffee and all different kinds of cold brews, even Turkish style, so we’re happy with the wide variety.” As for her favorite featured products, Pumpkin Spice Matcha from Moka & Co topped the list, as well as the drip coffee featured by Bakri Coffee.

Among the many businesses were Jabal Coffee House, Galata Sweets, and Gateaux Patisserie, each offering free tastings such as refreshers, various specialty teas, and traditional Turkish Coffee. The amount of samples was enough that many did not need to reach for their wallets to enjoy the refreshments. While there were items for purchase, such as larger specialty drinks and pastries, the generosity of the local businesses was palpable. In this time of economic hardship, businesses wanted to make this event accessible to everyone. Entry to the event was free.

Coffee Week supports primarily local shops. Larger corporate chains such as Tim Hortons and Dunkin Donuts were excluded. Many residents praised the city for their focus on small businesses. Thompson said, “I think it shows that we are supporting small businesses, because we really can go to Tim’s wherever we are because they’re on every corner. The fact that you may have to drive here exclusively just to try some of these places is something really special.”

Matt Thompson, Madison’s husband, stated, “I think the coffee here is some of the best in the world.”

After the kickoff event, businesses ran specials throughout the week, offering discounts and featured items. Jalasat Pop-Up was featured on Saturday, followed by the DRIP Coffee Party on Sunday. The closing celebration was held on Oct. 2 at Peace Park East.

Local officials, including Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, were seen interacting with patrons and praising the quality of Dearborn businesses. Police officers, councilmen, and other city employees interacting with the public created a sense of camaraderie between residents and civil servants.