Schuil Coffee Owner Tim Volkema Buys Leelanau Coffee Roasting

Grand Rapids-based Schuil Coffee Company has acquired Leelanau Coffee Roasting Co., taking ownership of the Glen Arbor cafe and the Maple City roasting facility while retaining the roastery’s entire staff. Schuil hired all 25 of Leelanau’s existing employees, bringing the combined company headcount to about 80 people and preserving front-line service in a well-known Northern Michigan coffee spot.

Tim Volkema, owner and CEO of Schuil Coffee, said the deal came together because of close geographic fit and overlapping market segments. “It’s uncommon to find a company that operates in a similar market segment, that is geographically close and is open to making an ownership transition,” Volkema said. “Those factors lined up, so we went for it, despite the challenges our industry faces.” Volkema also noted the cultural fit with Leelanau staff: “There’s a ton of overlap. And I’ve been really impressed with everyone I’ve met so far. You never know how these things will go, but I’m more encouraged the more people I meet.”

Leelanau Coffee Roasting Co. was founded in May 1993 by Steve Arens, soon joined by his brother John Arens, and has been described locally as a community staple and a favorite of generations of residents and visitors to the Sleeping Bear Dunes area. Schuil Coffee traces its roots to 1981, when Garry and Gladys Schuil started the company; Volkema purchased Schuil in 2017. Financial terms of the Leelanau acquisition were not disclosed.

For customers, the immediate picture is continuity. Mara Miller, manager of the Glen Arbor cafe and one of its longest-working employees, said, “Right now, it’s business as usual and will be for the foreseeable future.” Miller added that regulars keep returning: “People come and go, too, but it always seems they find their way back here and work for a spell.” She compared the change to a previous local sale, saying, “It’s like Art’s… You go in, and not much has changed for customers.” Miller also suggested the acquisition could bring internal structure: “The Schuil acquisition might also make things internally ‘a little more structured.’”

Employees gained new benefits as part of the move. Barista Carrie Giesler, who has worked at Leelanau for roughly eight years, said, “We get a lot more benefits,” and added, “There’s even holiday pay.” Operationally, Schuil will continue roasting in Grand Rapids, where two Diedrich production roasters support the Schuil, Sparrows Coffee and Joven Coffee brands, while the Maple City roastery and Glen Arbor cafe are now part of the combined footprint.

Product overlap gives retailers and customers familiar options: Schuil lists flavors like Blueberry Crumble and Michigan Sweet Cherry, echoing Leelanau favorites such as Manitou Blueberry and Leelanau Cherry. For readers, the acquisition means local service, staff continuity and added employee protections, with the added question of how Schuil will steward Leelanau’s heritage and Maple City operations in the months ahead.