In 2013, an idea to open a coffee house began to stir for The Red Dot Coffee Company owner, Arlita Ibach.  Over the years, Arlita had met several people, on many occasions, at coffee shops.  Drinking coffee and having conversations had been part of her story since she was young.  Her Dad was born and raised in the Netherlands, and part of the European culture he taught her was to sit, sip, and linger over a good cup of coffee.  

In the lingering, Arlita often found that people were willing to share parts of their story.  Becoming curious, exploring and listening provided opportunities for conversations to flow as well as the exchange of laughter, tears, silence and impactful words. 

Arlita recognized that everyone has a story - the good, bad and ugly is part of all of our stories.  She began to ponder what it could look like to create a place where people could feel encouraged wherever they are (their “red dot”) in their stories. More often than not, people enjoy a space for reflection, quiet to process, questions to evaluate, encouragement for whatever is unfolding, and gathering spaces to connect. 

As she continued to process these ideas, her husband and two sons encouraged her to move forward with this endeavor.  In 2014, the Ibach family purchased an old building in Northville, Michigan, full of character and history.  As the two-year renovation was taking place, Arlita’s contemplations persisted in regards to designing a space where a welcoming presence is offered through dialogue, gentle contributions of thought provoking questions, or even silence.  The idea that everyone can come to a place right where they are energized her and in July 2016 The Red Dot Coffee Company was established.