Car lovers in Detroit support local coffee shop through the COVID pandemic

Car Enthusiasts Create Community in Detroit

When car lovers in Detroit come together, it’s more than just showcasing impressive vehicles—it resonates throughout the community. In August, various events like Drift Indy, M1 Concourse, and the Woodward Dream Cruise attracted enthusiasts who shared their thoughts on the challenges of building connections in an age where technology has often replaced personal interaction.

There’s been a noticeable decline in social activities traditionally associated with community, like bowling leagues or church gatherings, and, I think, this has left many feeling rather isolated. Elly El Haddad reflected on this, saying, “This is actually a great opportunity to get out and interact with people. Honestly, this group is nothing but a chill atmosphere and just a good community.”

For many, their cars serve as a gateway to community, but conversations revealed deeper connections than just those forged over shared hobbies.

El Haddad founded Eurotic in Detroit nearly a decade ago, making it the eighth branch in the nation. This group primarily focuses on European brands—think BMW, Jaguar, and Mercedes. Their gatherings typically take place weekly in the Day Cap Café’s parking lot in Birmingham, Michigan, a nearby suburb. Other chapters might meet in places like Royal Oak or downtown Detroit.

El Haddad emphasized the mutual support between Eurotic and local businesses, noting the economic impact they create. “This is what the automotive community is all about. Just getting out and having fun, introducing yourself to new people. At the end of the day, we all love cars. We all have one hobby,” he said.

The pandemic brought on significant challenges, prompting the closure of many businesses like the Svenska Café, which faced foreclosure as local establishments struggled to stay afloat during lockdowns.

As the pandemic unfolded, many small businesses across the country—including coffee shops—were forced to close or significantly reduce operations. Svenska Café had been in business for seven years before the pandemic struck, and it was under financial duress. El-Haddad commented, “The previous owner of Svenska was having trouble paying the rent. Many shops were closed, and after that, there were fewer people working.”

With restrictions on events, El Haddad and then-owner Kristina Bakalis collaborated to offer curbside coffee service, benefiting both parties during tough times. “Every dollar counts, honestly. And it helped keep her business going, and they helped us host events here,” he explained.

This partnership proved fruitful; the Eurotic Car Show drew in customers for coffee and pastries, allowing the café to earn significantly more than usual during the events.

Interestingly, El-Haddad noted, “COVID-19 has allowed us to expand car culture, spread the word, and put the Eurotic name on the map.” Things shifted again when the café changed hands, with Valant “Val” Jaddou taking over and rebranding it as DayCap.

Jaddou brought in new energy and a fresh menu, focusing on sandwiches and beverages, and he valued community engagement. “Sometimes our baristas are the first people we see in the morning. We want to cheer them up and motivate them to start their day with a really good cup of coffee,” he said.

He believes the car culture in Detroit fosters community involvement. “I think people have their own crews and cliques, and there’s something special about a common interest, like cars, bringing people together,” Jaddou reflected.

Furthermore, he added, “It’s really cool to look at. It’s really cool.” Both El Haddad and Jaddou underscored the strong sense of welcome from the café, with El-Haddad commenting on the generosity they’ve experienced in the community.