Bridgeport Coffee Company Owner Speaks On Upcoming South Loop Location
By Chuck Sudo in Food on Apr 23, 2013 9:20PM
Last week we wrote about Bridgeport Coffee Company's plans to open a second retail location in the South Loop. The new store, located in the Roosevelt Collection next to the Showplace ICON theaters and surrounded by condos and retail locations, is an ideal location for the company to open a new shop.
Bridgeport Coffee Company owner/managing partner Mike Pilkington told Chicagoist he found the space after 18 months of searching for potential locations in the city, south of Roosevelt Road, "although we did get as far as meeting with the Mayor of one of the south side inner belt cities," Pilkington said. The 850 square-foot space at the Roosevelt Collection took three months to lock down with a lease.
Bridgeport Coffee Company has hired Bridgeport-based architecture firm Urban Lab to design and build out the storefront, and they'll be working with local tradesmen and artisans during the construction process, when possible. About 200 square feet of the space will be earmarked for two handicapped-accessible restrooms, but the area will be offset by an outdoor seating area that will accommodate 40-50 people and will be open March 1 - Dec. 1, with heaters to keep patrons warm during the cooler months.
As for what they'll serve in the new space when it opens later this year, Pilkington said they'll focus on "high quality, artisan coffee and tea as we do in our current location, but with equipment that is more reflective of who we have become over the years." Bridgeport Coffee Company will also serve pastries, desserts, grab-and-go sandwiches, and, Pilkington said, hopefully beer and wine.