Zuma Coffee House Closing After More Than 3 Years in Birmingham

, the popular 24-hour coffee spot next door to the , will be closing after more than three years in Birmingham.

In a note posted to the group's Facebook page on Wednesday, Zuma owners Richard and Lisa Spicko announced that they've decided to permanently close the coffee house.

"Speaking with many loyal customers, we know Zuma will be missed," the note reads. "We will carry with us the many positive experiences we have shared over the last three and a half years."

The Spickos also encouraged Zuma's many fans to keep independent businesses alive.

"We encourage everyone to keep up the 'independent spirit' and support locally owned businesses," the note reads. "Every dollar you spend goes back into the local economy and creates jobs for friends and neighbors."

Already, fans were bemoaning the loss of Zuma on the group's Facebook page.

"You might have an idea how much of a difference you have made in people's lives in the past 3 years, but I don't think you know how big of a hole you've left by closing," Andrew Elia writes. "My cousin and I were there for over eight hours the last night it was open. We left at 6:30 am. Zuma and its special people will be missed."

The Spickos purchased Zuma in 2009 when the coffee house was then called the Java Hutt. Not only did the coffee house serve around the clock (often times serving the most customers after midnight), the cafe also served homemade baked goods, sandwiches and soups, was the home for book clubs and had dozens of outlets lining the walls.

In , Lisa Spicko said they opened Zuma knowing customers had to come first.

“People say we’re like European coffee houses because our décor features a lot of wood, comfortable seating, a fireplace and colored walls (think energetic reds and warm tans),” said Spicko, who grew up in Birmingham and now lives in Plymouth Township. The art-filled shop regularly showcased different photographers’ and artists’ works on its walls.

Last year, Lisa Spicko said the only time they closed Zuma was over Thanksgiving and Christmas.

“We closed up for about 14 hours total over the holidays," she said. "It was so weird. We didn’t even know which light switches to use, as we never turn out the lights.”