Actor Hill Harper Buys A Downtown Coffee Shop And A Home In Detroit

Detroit has a new addition to the roster of celebrities in and around the city. Actor Hill Harper bought Roasting Plant Coffee in downtown Detroit, just off of Campus Martius. He also bought a home in a Detroit neighborhood. That’s the coffee shop with the clear plastic pipes and the “Javabot.”

The downtown Detroit location opened in 2013.

Roasting Plant Coffee has five locations including the Detroit one at 660 Woodward. Denver and Minneapolis-St. Paul have them at their airports, and New York City has two. Hill is involved as a brand ambassador and investor for the company.

Some of the shows you might know Hill from are CBS’ CSI: NY and Showtime’s HOMELAND. Beyond acting, he’s an author was named one of People Magazine’s “Sexiest Men Alive” in 2014.

Hill is also involved heavily in philanthropic work. His Manifest Your Destiny Foundation aims to help young people with tactical work skills and professional growth opportunities. He’s bringing his Summer Empowerment Academy to Detroit this summer. SEA is a free high school and college readiness program that Harper’s Manifest Your Destiny Foundation runs in the most challenged areas in cities across the country.

With his investment and advocacy in the company, Harper plans to make the shop an “engine of economic empowerment for Detroit and its young residents,” according to a release.

“Detroit is a great American city that was forged on innovation, social enterprise and entrepreneurship. My ownership of Roasting Plant Coffee in downtown Detroit builds upon that legacy.  It is truly an honor and privilege for me to help fuel the Motor City, not just with Roasting Plant’s incomparable coffee—but by providing career paths and launching pads to greater success in a booming industry for young Detroiters hungry for opportunity and active mentorship,” said Harper. “Having lived here filming two movies in Detroit over the past four years, I have come to love this city and its people. I believe in Detroit. It is truly a vibrant, unique and great American city.”

We’ve profiled Roasting Plant on our list of 10 Coffee Shops In Detroit And What Makes Each One Special.

10 Coffee Shops In Detroit And What Makes Each One Special