Layoffs: Nobody Does It Like Sara Lee

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Feb 14, 2006 3:18PM

We can't remember the last time we drank a cup of Superior Coffee, that ubiquitous coffee found in greasy spoons throughout the city. All we remember is that it always tasted slightly salty- or maybe that was the pure goodness of Arabica beans. Or maybe we were drunk and can't tell good coffee under the influence.

Anyhoo, Sara Lee- Superior Coffee's parent company- announced Monday that it is closing down Superior's roasting plant at 2278 N. Elston, resulting in a loss of 80 jobs, on April 14th. Sara Lee cited an aging infrastructure in the plant that would have needed significant money to upgrade and excess production in its other coffee roasting plants as the reasons for the decision.

While the loss of jobs is regrettable, Chicagoist wonders what will happen to the plant after the final beans have been roasted. Specifically we wonder if the building will be gutted and turned into lofts "starting in the low $400,000's." "Latte Lofts" has a lilting, if cynical, ring to it. All the kitchens could be decorated in mocha-colored tile.