Fifth & Elm brews coffee, history

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CALUMET - Several years ago, Frank Fiala wanted to find a way to remain in Calumet after he retired as superintendent of Keweenaw National Historical Park, and since he likes coffee, an opportunity presented itself.

"We wanted to stay in the area," he said. "My son, Boone, contacted me about starting a business."

That business, Fifth & Elm Coffee, opened during summer 2007 in a building which started life as a Sinclair gasoline station in October 1929, right at the beginning of the Great Depression.

The building survived the economic collapse, and over the ensuing decades it was other gasoline stations, a taxi cab service and before Fiala bought it from the Calumet Downtown Development Authority, it sat empty for about 30 years.

Before opening for business, Fiala said he painted the brick facade, installed tin ceiling panels and wood panels on the walls, and an in-floor heating system.

As for his menu at the coffee shop, Fiala said he offers various roasts of coffee and espresso, which he buys from a roaster in Madison, Wis.

"We've selected a house blend we thought was a great full-bodied coffee," he said.

He offers different blends each month, also, Fiala said. Besides the regular and espresso blends, he has cappuccino, lattes and frappuccino. Other beverages include smoothies and chai tea. Jilbert's ice cream is served and muffins, biscuits, scones, cookies and granola bars are all baked onsite by Katie Jo Wright.

During the winter months, Fiala said he offers a soup of the day, and New York City bagels.

"They're great," he said.

There is seating inside the coffee shop, and Fiala said in the summer, there is seating in the front of the building.

Fifth & Elm Coffee is open all year. Winter hours are 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Summer hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Kurt Hauglie can be reached at khauglie@mininggazette.com.