For Morgan Waggener, the owner of 500 District, her dream of joining the business world came true when she was just nineteen by opening the Heart of Michigan Cafe – a cafe with a full menu specializing in coffee that created an environment for the community and travelers to enjoy. Morgan opened the 505 Cafe in December of 2015, but she wasn’t ready to stop there. A year after opening Heart of Michigan Cafe, Morgan continued on to open the Venue at 501 – the Cafe’s sister business – that has since hosted countless weddings, showers, and events. She expanded again in the spring of 2017, opening The Upper Rooms Sleep Suites right above the Cafe. In July 2019, Heart of Michigan Cafe rebranded to 505 Cafe and expanded their menu to lunch options and handcrafted cocktails; then The 500 District was created. In May of 2021 the 500 District expanded yet again and opened the Trap Door Speakeasy located beneath the Venue at 501. Morgan’s dream won’t stop there…stay tuned for what’s to come in the future for The 500 District!

Karly officially joined the team in December 2020, but she has always been a supporter of her sister, Morgan. Karly is an asset to our team after obtaining her Bachelors degree from Northwood University in Business Management. Her passion for marketing shines through all of her work on our business pages, but you can also find her in the cafe interacting with our customers. Stay tuned to see what this duo brings The 500 District!

Meet Kirstin, our Food Director with a passion for bringing creativity to the table through inspired dishes and catering experiences. With years of experience leading in both catering and dining services — including my time at Central Michigan University — I’ve developed a strong foundation in menu development, event planning, and culinary management.

What drives me most is the opportunity to transform food into an experience: whether it’s crafting a unique menu, presenting food with a creative touch, or tailoring service to meet each client’s needs. I’m always looking for ways to expand my skills and evolve with the industry, blending innovation with the comfort of great hospitality.

For me, food is more than just a meal — it’s a way to connect, delight, and share joy.