ROYAL OAK — Some big changes are being made at the Detroit Zoo to align with the rebranding that took place in 2024, including a revamp of the Zoofari Market involving a coffee shop at the front of the zoo.
Published February 4, 2025
ROYAL OAK — Some big changes are being made at the Detroit Zoo to align with the rebranding that took place in 2024, including a revamp of the Zoofari Market involving a coffee shop at the front of the zoo.
“We are really listening to guests and we really want to make continuous improvements for the zoo experience,” said Emily O’Hara, senior director of guest experience. “We think this will enhance both the beginning and end of the visit.”
The renovations are going to be done by SSA Group, which the Detroit Zoo has partnered with for all things gift shop and dining related.
The improvements will be paid for through SSA, according to Michelle Hurley, SSA general manager.
“This has been a conversation for a few years,” Hurley said. “We started planning about a year ago.”
One of the major additions, a coffee shop, will be selling Great Lakes Coffee in a variety of arrangements.
“We are going to have cold brew coffee, hot coffee, lattes as well,” Hurley said. “We will have some simple breakfast items and some snack items.”
A walk-up window will also be added to the coffee shop area outside the gates to provide access to those waiting in line for an event or general admission.
“We have always felt like we missed coffee at the front of the zoo; a lot of our guests have expressed that as well,” Hurley said. “So it felt like a good fit, and we had this space with the new renovation to make it work.”
O’Hare said that the inspiration behind adding a coffee shop also came from wanting to provide older zoo visitors with a spot to grab a treat.
“We want to make sure we are attending to our parent and caregiver audience as well,” O’Hare said. “We want to be able to have folks grab their coffee and be ready to enjoy their visit, even while they are gathering before they enter.”
In addition to the coffee shop, the market will have refreshed point-of-sale areas, new display shelves, a mini water tower in the center of the shop, and new signage out front that aligns with the rebrand.
“Guests will really continue to see that refreshed look throughout this gift shop design and coffee shop design,” O’Hare said.
Along with the revamp, the market will be adding some new gifts to the assortment of souvenirs currently being sold at the Detroit Zoo.
Hurley said that the zoo is now partnering with Uncle Goose, a Grand Rapids-based company that makes and sells wooden toy blocks and sensory toys for toddlers.
The shop will also be adding Thumbprint Artifacts, another Michigan company that sells fair trade home decor handmade in South Africa.
Renovations to the market are slated to be completed in mid- to late April, but until then guests can still purchase merchandise at Drake Passage Gifts inside the Polk Penguin Conservation Center or the Arctic Outpost outside the Arctic Ring of Life.
Merchandise continues to be sold online at dzoo.org/shop.
