by Cameron Kerkau, Staff Reporter.
“In the past year there’s been a lot of ups and downs but we’ve only seen things get better and that couldn’t be any more true with the one year anniversary party,” says Jack Rechsteiner, The Fix coffee shop owner and Delta student.
Bay City saw snow for the first time this year while citizens stayed warm at The Fix’s one year anniversary party Saturday, Nov. 21.
For Rechsteiner, starting out at Delta has been an integral part of fostering a community for his business.
“I’ve met a lot of great people and had great connections to bring more of Delta’s and the Tri-Cities poets and singer/songwriter’s in for open mic nights and things like that,” says Rechsteiner.
The Fix is often used as a venue for local bands to perform. Christopher Tanner of the band Vince Dynamic and David Beuthin of Vital Sea, played for the crowd gathered at the anniversary party.
“It was a full house [so] it was good. I’d rather play a small venue with a large amount of people than a large venue with a small amount of people,” says Tanner.
Both Tanner and Beuthin perform regularly at The Fix. According to Tanner, the casual environment is great for trying out new songs, and Beuthin says he enjoys the comfortable atmosphere.
“It’s set up like a house almost. So being in front of people that I’m familiar with and having that support is always great, and I know I’m going to have that if I play here. It sounds great too, the acoustics are sick,” says Beuthin.
Amanda Thomas, a SVSU junior and graphic design major responded positively to the musicians.
“I really enjoyed it. It was nice, really melodic,” says Thomas.
Rechsteiner says that the community is one of the things that surprises him the most in running a business.
“Like tonight, when I got to see David playing in front of everyone and remembering the first time I ever met him and the first time he ever played at open mic night as this tiny scared fresh high schooler and now after he played he had a line of people buying his EP and asking him to sign it. There’s so many more things like that that happen every day I show up,” says Rechsteiner.
As The Fix moves into their second year, co-owner Bri Dominowski will be leaving the company. This will lead to changes in the food options that The Fix will be offering.
“Tonight we tried out a couple recipes to show people what they can be looking forward to,” says Rechsteiner.
At the anniversary party, The Fix served a rosemary focaccia bread and a southwest chickpea salad, which Rechsteiner says was such a hit that it will probably be a staple at The Fix for a while. Tofu turkey lettuce wraps were also served; according to Rechsteiner, the wraps were made locally and organically by a couple anonymously operating under the name Two Broke Vegans.
“We’ll be offering a lot more of their deli meats and we’ve had their vegan cheeses available for purchase in the past and we’ll be working more with them in the future,” says Rechsteiner.
Rechsteiner says that The Fix’s first year was great, and he looks forward to future.
“Everything has gone either as I had it planned or… even better, but what still surprises me is… the reception. Having people kind of take ownership, pride, or loyalty in it. That’s what’s surprised me the most – to have this place that I love, and to hear from other people that they love it too,” says Rechsteiner.
As far as expansion is concerned, people will likely have to come to Bay City to experience The Fix for themselves.
“I’ve considered expanding into coffee delivery, and also into temporary pop-up shops, or like a mobile shop, but there will never be another brick and mortar,” says Rechsteiner.
Contact The Fix at 989-439-1250 and like them on Facebook to stay up to date on upcoming events.
“I promise it’s going to be an exciting year,” says Rechsteiner.
Chris Tanners music can be found at vincedynamic.bandcamp.com or at vincedynamic.com.
David Beuthin music can be found at vitalsea.bandcamp.com. He will be releasing a digital EP on Dec. 4.
