AJ’s Café serves up coffee, community involvement, and congeniality in the heart of Ferndale’s business district.  Upon arriving, you will immediately notice the rescued space created from two storefronts and furnished with a jumble of unmatched tables and chairs.  But don’t be put off by the unpretentious décor; when I walk into AJ’s Café I think of myself stepping back into time into one of the counter culture coffee shops of the 1950’s in Greenwich Village. 

AJ can often be found working and greets his customers with an enthusiastic effervescent welcome.  He will eagerly engage you in conversation; especially if you like to discuss baseball.  AJ is a self-described baseball freak and can rattle on and on about it. 

While gay owned and operated, AJ does not label AJ’s Café  as gay or straight.  AJ believes in mainstreaming, and his Café serves to bring many people and the community together.  AJ likes to refer to the cafe as a “United Nations Coffee Shop” where everyone can be comfortable. 

Food is served all day and you can stop by for breakfast, lunch or supper.  In addition to a wide selection of coffee, tea, and other beverages the menu includes sandwiches, salads, and desserts including several vegan options. 

AJ’s Café uniqueness stems from AJ’ the many varied community activities and events that are sponsored by AJ’s Cafe.  There is “Open Mike Night” Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday beginning at 8:00 PM.  On “Open Mike Night” anyone who wishes to perform can sing, dance, try out their new comedy routine, read a poem or do whatever.  Just call during the day and book a slot for that evening and you too can perform on stage.  

Also, AJ’s Café has sponsored a “Take Back the Night Rally” organized by Haven, an Oakland County organization serving the needs of sexual abuse survivors.  At the “Take Back the Night Rally” sexual abuse survivors met at AJ’s to talk about their experiences from the podium, and then marched through the streets of  Ferndale, proudly declaring that they would not be victims again

Over the 2008 St. Patrick’s Day weekend, AJ’s Café hosted a fifty-hour Danny Boy Marathon where approximately one thousand people including the State of Michigan Governor sang Danny Boy. 

AJ’s Café also sponsors the annual Green Cruise - a community effort to raise energy conservation awareness, Ferndale Idol - a local talent contest, and the Midwest Aids Prevention Pub Crawl – an event to raise money for Aids prevention education. 

Next time you are in Ferndale, stop by AJ’s Café at 240 W Nine Mile Rd to see what is happening in the community.  You can contact AJ’s Café by phone at  248 399-3946 .  Visit www.ajsmusiccafe.com for more details.

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