Who Owns Matcharia Cafe?

Yazmine and Tyler Root own Matcharia Cafe. They first opened their doors in December of 2024. It was previously called Matchacita, but underwent a name change in September of 2025.

What led you to open a dedicated gluten free Matcha cafe?

Yazmine Root always wanted to open a cafe. Kind of like the “open a cafe when I retire and live in a small apartment above it” type of dream. However she never really thought to do so in Kalamazoo. This is because the cafe industry is saturated in Kalamazoo.

A couple of years ago we went down to Arizona for a couple of months to help her sister as open a cafe in Arizona. Her sister had very little restaurant experience. However, Yazmine has TONS of cafe/restaurant/food industry related experience. Therefore, her sister asked Yazmine to come down to help start it up.

The Inspiration in Opening A Gluten Free Cafe

That was when we were introduced to Matcha AND gluten free baked goods. The amount of restaurants / cafes in the South West part of the United States that adheres to different allergies and/or lifestyles was intense.

We decided that if the opportunity came up we would bring it to the midwest. Tyler did some research and realized that in the Kalamazoo area there are no dedicated gluten free bakeries or restaurants. We wanted to change that.

What kind of foods are on your menu? What’s most popular?

We offer a variety of baked goods and smaller food options such as, toasts, chia pudding, waffles, etc. I would say that the most popular is the avocado toast and the waffle.

Is your menu also free from any other allergens?

On top of being dedicated gluten free we are also dedicated dairy free. We have no dairy products in the store. This allows us to be MOSTLY vegan.

Where do you source your matcha and tea from?

We get our matcha from a couple of farms in Japan. While we really would like to source it from one location the matcha business right now is a little volatile because of the increasing popularity in Western culture.

We source our matcha directly from two farms in Shizouka, Japan and from one farm in Uji, Japan. Yazmine has done a lot of research and testing of different farms and matcha types. The farms that we get them from offer a very similar flavor profile with a nice smooth umami flavor that is not too grassy nor earthy. They are great introductory matchas.

Do you partner with any MI businesses for your ingredients?

We work with a couple local farms for some of our ingredients. A lot of produce comes from Michigan farms. Our maple syrup and honey come from Jack and Jill Maple Hill farms located in Paw Paw, Michigan.

In addition, our microgreens come from local growers -Sandy and Brett in Kalamazoo, Michigan. We also sell Kalamazoo Coffee Co. ground coffee.

What kind of oil do you use for cooking and baking

For baking, we exclusively use coconut oil for baking. We never use butter (dairy) nor plant-based butter. There are a couple things that we use olive oil in also, but that is mostly for cooking and drizzling purposes, not baking.

Do you use gluten free wheat starch in your menu items?

No, we do not use wheat starch

What menu items contain oats/ oat flour? 

The chia pudding uses Purely Elizabeth Granola which contains oats and currently our banana bread uses oat flour. The baked goods rotate every so often so if there is an oat sensitivity always feel free to ask! Yazmine updates the employees on ingredients or keeps the recipe book by them in case there is ever a questions.

Do you have gluten free vegetarian or vegan options?

Yes! Unless noted, the baked goods will always be gluten-free & vegan. The toasts can be made vegan by simply switching out the bread. It is fairly easy for us to be gluten-free & vegan because we are already dairy-free. The only exception is eggs, honey, and the option of adding a protein to your toast.

Do you have patio seating? Are dogs allowed outside?

Yes, we have patio seating directly outside of our business, on the sidewalk. Friendly dogs are allowed to join you outside.

Do you offer any weekly deals?

No weekly deals. We try to keep our prices very competitive already. Sometimes we will offer a coupon, but for very specific situations.

Any tips for customers for parking at Matcharia?

There is some street side parking, which is also free before 10 am. Otherwise, there is a parking ramp (Epic Center Parking – 136 E. South Street) just a block away from us! It is free for the first 90 minutes! See This website for more Kalamazoo Parking locations.

What add’l things would you like my followers to know about your business?

We just want to say how much we appreciate all of our customers.

Places to Visit in Kalamazoo

If you’re visiting Matcharia, plan to stop at these other locations for a full day field trip. If you’re anything like me, stopping at a local health food store to find new gluten free items is always a plus!

• Air Zoo in Portage
• Kalamazoo Valley Museum (always free to visit!)
• Kalamazoo Growlers Baseball
• Sawall Health Foods (They sell Kind Crumbs Gluten Free Baked goods)
• This is a Bookstore & Bookbug (The Bookbug is strictly children’s books)

Other Gluten Free Dining Options In and Near Kalamazoo

f you have a sweet tooth like I do, you HAVE to stop at Kalamazoo Cookie Co. All cookies are 100% gluten free. If you’re looking for a gluten free dinner in Kalamazoo, check out my list of suggestions below.

• Anna’s House (separate prep space. Closes at 3 pm)
• Condado Tacos
• One Well Brewing (dedicated fryer) (found on Find Me GF)
• Principle Food and Drink (found on Find Me GF) (Right behind Matcharia)
• LFG Gaming Bar (dedicated fryer)
• Turbo Chicken (dedicated fryer, shared kitchen)
• Jersey Mike’s
• Mitts 2 Pitts in Battle Creek (dedicated fryer)

Matcharia Address, Hours and Contact Info

120 W South St

Kalamazoo, MI 49007

(269) 251-7343

Hours: Tues – Fri 7:30 – 4 pm / Sat & Sun 8 am – 3 pm CLOSED MON

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Email

Macharia is one of many Michigan gluten free dining options I recommend on my blog. Looking for options in bigger cities? Check out my suggestions for Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Traverse City. Plus, check out my Michigan gluten free baker list!

Originally Published Sept 2026

The post Matcharia Cafe- 100% GF in Kalamazoo appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

Who Owns Kalamazoo Cookie Co.?

Do you ever meet someone and immediately feel like they could be your long time friend. When I met Tyler Dilworth at his new gluten free cookie business in Kalamazoo, we talked for at least an hour.

About what makes eating gluten free difficult, and how it gives him so much joy when a customer feels so safe in his bakery. And our shared love of Michigan author Patricia Polacco.

How a Loving Grandfather Created Tyler’s Love of Cookies

“Kalamazoo Cookie Company started somewhere between a childhood memory and a slightly irrational grudge.

When I was a kid, my grandpa and I had a tradition — we’d walk to a tiny cookie shop in Harbor Springs, grab a couple cookies, sit by the water, and just talk. Nothing fancy, just time together. That stuck with me more than I realized.” “I wanted to do something that people could come to and make a memory with it.””

What’s Your Background in Gluten Free Baking?

“During COVID, my mom brought over chocolate chip cookies and my wife wouldn’t stop talking about how good they were. Being the jealous type, that didn’t sit right with me. So I decided to make a better one.

That turned into a year of making cookies almost every day, changing one thing at a time until it finally felt right. That’s the version we sell now.

Everything here is small batch and baked to order. I still make every batch myself, and if I’m not excited to eat it, it doesn’t go out.

At the end of the day, it’s just cookies. But if it feels like someone actually cared when they made them, then I did my job.”

Is Everything at Kalamazoo Cookie Co. Gluten Free?

Yes, Kalamazoo Cookie Co. is a 100% dedicated gluten free facility. At some point, I would like to offer gluten free baking classes.

What Flavors of Cookies are Available?

Kalamazoo Cookie Co. has 5 “mainstay” flavors that are always available. They are:

• Chocolate Chip
• Snickerdoodle
• Molasses
• Peanut Butter and Jelly, and
• Chocolate Peanut Butter

Then there are 1 to 2 “seasonal” flavors that are available. Past flavors include

• Summer Swirl (Raspberry, Grapefruit & Passionfruit)
• Blueberry and Honey Cornbread
• Cookie Monster
• Limoncello
• Sweet Chai
• and many more

Customers can order a 6 count sampler that includes one of each mainstay cookie, and one seasonal cookie.

Do you only use certified gluten free flours? 

I source gluten-free ingredients carefully — using certified products and verifying processing with suppliers when needed. I only use King Arthur Gluten Free Measure for Measure Flour.

1. Do you use oats, oat flour, or oat milk in your baked goods? If so, which brands?
   • I rarely use oat ingredients in my gluten free cookies.
2. Do you use certified gluten free wheat starch in any of your baked goods? 
   • I do not use any gluten free wheat starch in my bakery.

Are your baked goods free from other allergens?  

Gluten is the only allergen that I specifically exclude in my products. My recipes frequently use most other common allergens.

What customer feedback has brought you the most joy? 

Recently, a young couple drove from Battle Creek to try some cookies. One of them has Celiac Disease, and their partner wanted to surprise them with something sweet. I’ve also met kids with Celiac Disease who have been able to eat their first bakery cookie. It reminds me on the long days that this is why I created this business.

What would you like consumers to know about your products and your business?

Cookies are baked to order. I do have Variety 6-packs available daily for walk-ins, but supplies are limited. I cater to weddings, showers, birthdays, retirement parties, etc.

There are no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives in any of my cookies. These cookies are made with real intention, care, and pride. I feel incredibly privileged to be able to do something that I love for a living, especially when what I get to do is spread some joy.

Where Else Are Your Gluten Free Cookies Available?

If you’re out and about in Kalamazoo, you can find our cookies at ‘Zoo Scoop in Kalamazoo and Chocolatea in Portage. All of my packaged goods contain product name, ingredients in descending order, product weight, allergen warning, and business info. You can also find a complete list of ingredients for each cookie on our website.

How should customers place a special order?  Do You Ship?

Anyone can place an order at kalamazoocookiecompany.com. For large event orders/ bulk pricing, fill out the form on the Contact page. I ship anywhere in the U.S. Shipping is $12 flat rate on all orders, with free shipping on orders over $55. We also offer gift cards.

You can learn more about Tyler and the Kalamazoo Cookie Co. in this article by Mike Wenninger on the Secone Wave website.

Kalamazoo Cookie Co. Location and Hours

Kalamazoo Cookie Co.

4023 Douglas Ave Kalamazoo, MI 49004

MON-FRI 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. / SAT 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Phone: (269)216-3688

Email: cookies@kalamazoocookiecompany.com

Website: kalamazoocookie.co

Facebook / Instagram

Kalamazoo Cookie Co. is one of many gluten free bakers across the state of Michigan.  Click this link to see a comprehensive list of all the gluten-free bakeries in Michigan, complete with interactive map!

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