The Coffee and Tea Exchange is a veteran roaster and cafe established way back in 1975. Forget about Starbucks or Dunkin here are some local business to support: With people moving away from pre-packaged coffee, roasters are making their prices more affordable and coffee more accessible. The number of roasters has only been increasing over the years, adding to the vibrant coffee culture.
With the expresso filled aroma wafting through the air, Independent roasters are at the heart of Chicago's coffee scene. A million coffee places are hiding in plain sight owned by people from all walks of life- from combat veterans to family businesses that are worth checking out.
While Chicago is too far off the equator to grow coffee beans, the roasters compensate by directly sourcing their coffee from farmers across the world. There are nearly 38 independent coffee roasters in Chicago and countless cafes and chain coffeehouses. The sheer quality of the small coffee roasters and their commitment to making their shops a neighbourhood centre sets them apart from other cities. While the coffee scene in Chicago is nowhere near as elaborate as Seattle or Portland, it is emerging as a unique culture that transcends quirky flavours or fancy cups. So whether you’re craving a traditional black coffee or a fancy Ristretto, we’ve got all the main coffee shops covered! Chicago has many coffee shops, independent roasters, and cafe to quench your search for a caffeine rush.įrom a quiet corner shop to a Michelin star approved restaurant, coffee is everywhere in Chicago, and it may be overwhelming to figure out where to have your next cup. While a good morning coffee at home is a deal-breaker, there is something special about curling up with a hot cuppa in a quaint cafe with a book in your hand. The chilly Chicago weather and the busy lives of its residents make coffee the perfect antidote. He pointed to craft beers being sold for $6 or $7.It isn't too far fetched to say that Chicago has the most prolific coffee scene in the US. Zell said that while most people are accustomed to paying a low price and getting "free refills, like with soda," he believes coffee prices should be aligned with products like Champagne, craft beer or whisky. "You now can create coffee that tastes like fresh ground coffee smells." "Lots of people like the smell of fresh ground coffee but they don't like coffee," he said. "Fortunately, Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts leave the door wide open for an independent to do a better job," he said, adding that advances in sourcing, roasting and brewing methods have simply resulted in better coffee. Zell described Intelligentsia by referencing its close relationships with coffee farmers, paying prices "well above international fair trade standards," control over the roasting process, the way the coffee is ground, and even the method with which the coffee is poured.ĭavid Heilbrunn, show manager for Coffee Fest, an annual business-to-business trade show held in Chicago, maintains that national chains make growth at independents possible. He declined to provide the company's annual revenues. Intelligentsia's cafes constitute about 30 percent of the company's sales, although it could reach 40 percent with the coming openings, Zell said. The company sources and roasts coffee, doing about 70 percent of its business in wholesale. More locations are planned for Old Town, Wicker Park and San Francisco before year's end.
Intelligentsia recently remodeled its original location in Lakeview, opened a new cafe in Logan Square, and will open its first New York store this month. "I'd suggest it's probably a very niche market." "It's going to be tough to go up against the marketing clout of those guys," said NPD analyst Bonnie Riggs, adding that the pricier, pour-over coffees could be an even tougher sell. Starbucks remains dominant, riding 13 consecutive quarters of global same-store sales gains of 5 percent or more. McDonald's relaunched its coffee in 2006, and Dunkin' Donuts took on a national presence, going public in 2011. "For us, it's not a new movement."Ĭompetition for the morning pick-me-up has gotten incredibly heated over the last decade. "Starbucks has been a leader in 'third wave' coffee before it was ever called 'third wave' coffee," she said.
Spokeswoman Alisa Martinez underscored the coffee giant's commitment to farmers in regions where its beans are sourced and its ability to procure small-batch top-quality beans, such as a rare Geisha heirloom varietal from Panama, which the company recently sold for $50 per half-pound on its website for two days before running out of stock. locations in the U.S., Starbucks dominates the premium coffee category.Īnd Starbucks isn't ceding third wave status. According to the NPD Group, the gourmet coffee and tea category grew 4 percent for the year that ended in February, on top of a 3 percent gain the year before.
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