FERNDALE, Mich. – A new cafe and wine bar is set to open in downtown Ferndale next week.
Balam Coffee & Wine will open at 207 E. Nine Mile Road on Monday, March 16, 2026, according to a release.
Recommended Videos
This cafe and wine bar concept comes from siblings Sandra Haro and Jose Granados, the owners of Mezcal Mexican Bar and Kitchen.
The duo opened the first Mezcal restaurant in Ferndale in late 2021 and expanded with locations in Detroit and Dearborn.
The new cafe is just steps from their original restaurant.
Balam Coffee & Wine is designed as a relaxed space where people can stop in for specialty coffee or a glass of wine throughout the day.
The modern space will seat about 30 to 35 people.
The coffee offerings will highlight Mexican flavors, with drinks that are inspired by iconic treats. Some include the Mazapan, which is inspired by the De la Rosa peanut candy; the Chocolate A buelita, which is made with Mexican hot chocolate and cinnamon; and the Mexican Wedding Cake, inspired by traditional pecan cookies.
Coffee beans will be sourced from Mexico and South America. Mexican pastries, wraps and fresh juices will also be offered.
There will also be a rotating selection of Latin American red and white wines, including Trivento’s White Malbec and Santa Julia’s El Zorrito Natural Orange Chardonnay.
The café’s name carries cultural significance. In Mayan culture, “Balam” means jaguar, an animal regarded as sacred and powerful throughout Mesoamerican mythology.
“The jaguar is a protector and a strong animal in the culture,” said Haro. “That meaning resonated with us as we thought about creating a space that feels welcoming, intentional and rooted in our heritage.”
Haro and Granados’ also took inspiration from their travels across Mexico as children, with everything from the coffee to the decor and other elements being sourced from Mexico.
“Our goal with Balam is to create something that feels different but familiar,” added Granados. “It’s a place to slow down, enjoy great coffee or wine, and experience flavors tied to Latin American culture.”
Balam Coffee & Wine will operate daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., but will close at 9 p.m. on Sundays.