Emily Clare, owner of Purple Tree Books in Cheboygan, Mich., closed her café, Purple Tree Coffee, last weekend, but it will reopen March 10 with new ownership and a new name. The Daily Tribune reported that Mix & Mingle Bakery "will continue the traditions of Purple Tree as an open space where community members are welcomed to gather, hold meetings, share positive ideas and enjoy a cup of coffee in the heart of downtown."
"I feel so good about this transition. It's very positive for me, for the Lange family, for our businesses, and very importantly for the community," said Clare, who had approached Brian and Sharen Lange several months ago about working together to launch a plan that would retain the spirit of what Clare had started, while letting her focus on the bookstore.
"This is going to allow me to focus all my efforts back on the bookstore to improve it," she continued. "The bookstore was what brought me to Cheboygan and I want it to be the best bookstore that I can make it and this transition back to just Purple Tree Books will allow me to do that! I cannot express how fantastic Brian and Sharen have been. I have loved having the coffee shop in addition to the bookstore but I am confident that it will be in the best of hands and the space will continue to be a place for the community."