With catering, Water Street is now double-jointed

Food from Water Street Coffee Joint is not just for dining in or taking out anymore. The eclectic menu can be catered for your next gathering.

The recent business expansion came about when the kitchen for the Water Street's cafes relocated from cramped quarters in a renovated warehouse space behind the original location to property previously used by the Dana Corp. off Ninth Street.

Moving into a space originally designed for use as a commercial kitchen is "vastly different from where we were," says Liz Comrie, general manager of cafe operations, with a smile in her voice.

Two ovens that can be used simultaneously, a walk in refrigerator, and a hooded cooking system are among the upgrades that are making creating food for the three cafe locations -- downtown, Oakland Drive and at Borgess Medical Center -- a whole lot easier.

The move in August, which has brought about the hiring of a catering director, also has created more scheduling flexibility for the staff of 20 part- and full-time employees, many of whom are students. For example, in the previous location the oven had to be used 24 hours day to get all the baking done needed for the three locations.

As Water Street Coffee Joint approaches its 20th anniversary in February 2013, Comrie says she wanted to offer catering so people could experience food in their homes, at their events, and at their offices.

"This catering project has allowed us that opportunity," Comrie says.

Baked goods, appetizers, dips, sandwiches, salads, soups, and desserts are all on the new menu. Comrie says that like the offerings in the shops she wanted the catering menu to have a diverse sampling with a little something for everyone --  vegetarians and vegans, formal gatherings and tailgating, the sweet tooth and the locavore.  

"We spent many months looking for a kitchen possibility before finding the space at the old Dana Corporation," Comrie says, "and we spent just as much time developing this catering menu."

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Liz Comrie, Water Street Coffee Joints