Get to know Ypsilanti through the people and places making our community shine. 

Connecting over coffee, meeting for dinner, and browsing niche shops are some of our favorite ways to spend time in Ypsi. But it’s our neighbors and business owners who bring the fun and funky vibes that we know and love! 

In part one of this portrait series, local photographer Leisa Thompson, in partnership with the Ypsilanti DDA, captured images offering an inside look at some of Ypsi’s beloved businesses and the folks behind them.   

Meet the owners and discover what inspires their craft.  

• Basil Babe

• Ohana Lounge 

• Bloodroot Herb Shop

• Bridge Community Cafe

• Water Tower Distilling
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Basil Babe   

Meet Haluthai Brzys and her mother, Ying, co-owners of Basil Babe. What started as a mother-daughter dumpling pop-up has grown into a full Thai restuarant focused on culture, community, and great food. Haluthai, a Ypsi native and EMU alum, teamed up with her mother Ying, who was born and raised in Bankok and owner of Siam Square for over 20 years. This power pair brings family tradition and their own flavor to every dish, and is always made with love.

Ohana Lounge   ​

Meet Darius P. Smith, owner of Ohana Lounge. Inspired by island hospitality, Ohana was created to become a unique space by a proud community member. This Hawaiian-themed spot serves great coffee with chill vibes, ideal for connecting with friends.  

Bloodroot Herb Shop & Apothecary

Meet Alex Crofoot, owner of Bloodroot Herb Shop & Apothecary. Prioritizing real-life community care, each product is made with intention, accessibility, and a whole lot of herbal nerd joy. This is your go-to for herbalism classes, pop-up free clinics, with sliding-scale access and collective care.  

Bridge Community Cafe   

Meet Sierra Lambert, owner of Bridge Community Cafe. 

Everything at Bridge is centered around making Ypsi feel like home. The cafe doubles as a hub for local creators and small businesses, offers pay-it-forward meals, and is launching an incubator kitchen in an inviting and inclusive space.

Water Tower Distilling Co. 

Meet Skott Schoonover, co-owner behind Water Tower Distilling. Skott’s passion brings this new bar to life in a beautiful downtown space. The distillery specializes in micro-batch gins, whiskeys, and vodkas. Every bottle is filled, labeled, and hand-numbered, so you can count on quality. 
 

This is just a handful of businesses highlighted in the portrait series organized by the Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority. For more information, visit ypsilantidda.org.

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