Higher Grounds’ vision began in Chiapas, Mexico; evolved as a business concept in Leelanau County, Michigan; and took shape as a bustling roastery and coffee bar on the edge of Traverse City. In 2002, we moved our operations into a warehouse-like space that had once been the home to laundry services for a community who called this campus home well before we did: residents of the Traverse City State Hospital. To paint a clearer picture of this special place and its history, let’s rewind more than a hundred years.

Photo credit: Wikipedia

In April 1883, decades before modern psychiatric medications, construction began on the Northern Michigan Asylum. Local banker and businessman Perry Hannah secured state approval and funding for the hospital as a strategy to solidify Traverse City as a growing town,  not just a timber outpost along the Lake, because building and staffing the hospital would bring so many new jobs to the area. This facility–a sprawling campus with intricate Victorian-Italianate architecture–would be home to hundreds of patients receiving critical care. The architect, Gordon W. Lloyd of Detroit, designed every room with a window to the outside, so that each patient had natural light and a view of nature. Beauty is therapy was the guiding philosophy; meals were served on real china, and the hospital grounds were immaculately gardened and groomed. As far as psychiatric hospitals go, this one was among the best for several decades.

But as medical theories and practices evolved into the twentieth century, the hospital became less and less used, and by 1989, it was closed completely. For more than a decade, it sat unused as the community debated demolition or redevelopment. Finally in 2000, the Minervini Group secured a renovation agreement and began their ongoing work of preserving the campus, one building at a time.

Building 65, in shambles - photo credit: Wikipedia

When Higher Grounds moved into the old laundry facility, we had just a few neighbors, namely Left Foot Charley (winery and cider house, adjacent to us on Red Drive) and Pleasanton Brick Oven Bakery (in the old firehouse building) were among our early neighbors. Over the past 20+ years, we’ve been joined by dozens of other businesses, from clothing boutiques and restaurants to fitness studios and tasting rooms. Each of our spaces holds the history of those who called this place home long before we did, and we’re so grateful to those who saw the vision of what this campus could be today. 

Inside the HG Coffee Bar

The restoration of the Commons is an example of how businesses can help restore community. “When we moved into the old laundry building in 2008,” says HG founder Chris Treter, “the Commons was still more vision with endless possibilities than a bustling destination. Nearly 20 years later, [it’s] become a place where history, beauty, and community intersect. Watching the Commons grow, alongside Higher Grounds and a growing list of other businesses that call it home, has reinforced the important role business plays in influencing community well-being by cultivating human connection and fostering a deeper sense of belonging.”

Exterior of Building 50 at the Commons, photo credit: Wikipedia

Higher Grounds is proud to be part of the Commons and the neighborhood thriving here, thanks to the perspective of the Minervinis and like-minded businesses who have shared their vision with us. Inside our doors, you can sip a delicious beverage and peek through the windows to our Roastery where our production team works to roast and package our coffee. Beyond our walls are miles of hiking trails, beckoning you to step deeper into nature for a quiet reprieve. And all around the campus are other shops and restaurants, colorful and friendly spaces for wandering and shopping. There are historical tours, so you can step behind the scenes (and into the underground tunnels!) of this diverse community and learn more. And while you’re at it, sign up for a Friday roastery tour and coffee tasting at Higher Grounds–we’d love to meet you.

Cover image credit: Andrew Jameson - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11012055