Has Heart coffee shop to open second location in Grand Rapids

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Has Heart, a nonprofit coffee shop run by veterans, will open a second location in Grand Rapids' Boston Square neighborhood. The announcement comes three years after the organization opened its first shop inside Veterans Memorial Park, a space it built with $916,000 in renovations.

The expansion tests whether Has Heart's model, which combines coffee sales with veteran art displays and support services, can work outside its original park setting. It also brings a new cafe to a neighborhood that has seen recent investment.

Why it matters

If the second location succeeds, it could offer a template for other veteran-focused nonprofits looking to grow beyond a single flagship site.

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Key Indicators

$916K

Renovation cost of original location

City and partner investment to convert a historic park building into the coffee shop.

Planned coffee shop locations

Includes the original Veterans Memorial Park shop and the announced Boston Square location.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Michael Hyacinthe

Co-founder and chairman, Has Heart

Leading expansion

Tyler Way

Co-founder and designer, Has Heart

Supporting expansion

Organizations Involved

Has Heart

Nonprofit organization

Expanding coffee shop operations

A Grand Rapids nonprofit that uses art and design to connect veterans and civilians, and operates a coffee shop at Veterans Memorial Park.

Timeline

2010 November 2026

4 events Latest: Today

Tap a bar to jump to that date

November 2026
Second location announced
Today Expansion

WOODTV reports Has Heart will open a second location in Boston Square.
Today
November 2023
Original coffee shop opens
Opening

Has Heart Coffee Shop opens at Veterans Memorial Park after $916,000 renovation.
November 11th, 2023
2016
Coffee shop planning begins
Development

Has Heart begins planning coffee shop with Grand Rapids Parks Department.
2016
2010
Has Heart founded
Organization

Michael Hyacinthe and Tyler Way found Has Heart after meeting for coffee.
2010

Scenarios

Second location opens by end of 2027

Possible Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Has Heart leadership

Has Heart has not announced an opening date, but the nonprofit has a track record of completing projects. If fundraising and construction go smoothly, the Boston Square shop could open within a year.

Expansion faces delays due to funding or construction

Possible Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Local business observers

Nonprofit expansions often encounter unexpected costs or permitting delays. The original shop took years to plan and build, suggesting the second location could also face a longer timeline.

Has Heart announces a third location

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2028

Discussed by: Nonprofit sector analysts

If the second location performs well, Has Heart might pursue further expansion. The organization has said it hopes to expand its impact beyond Grand Rapids one day.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

November 2023

Has Heart Coffee Shop opening (2023)

Has Heart opened its first coffee shop inside a historic building at Veterans Memorial Park after a $916,000 renovation. The shop combined coffee sales with veteran art displays and support services.

Then

The shop became a gathering place for veterans and civilians, and a model for public-private partnerships in city parks.

Now

It established Has Heart as a physical retail presence and set the stage for expansion.

Why this matters now

The original location's success and challenges provide a blueprint for the Boston Square expansion.

2010

Founding of Has Heart (2010)

Navy veteran Michael Hyacinthe and designer Tyler Way met for coffee and realized a disconnect between veterans and civilians. They founded Has Heart to bridge that gap through collaborative art projects.

Then

The organization began hosting ArtPrize exhibits and pop-up shops.

Now

Has Heart grew into a nonprofit with a permanent coffee shop and a mission to support veterans.

Why this matters now

The organization's origin story explains why coffee is central to its mission and why expansion is a natural next step.