Starbucks opens on Lake Avenue, respiration life to the positioning of a former quick meals restaurant that was languishing – Chicago Tribune

There could be no higher approach to have a good time Nationwide Espresso Day than with the opening of a brand new espresso home.

That was the perspective of Aurora officers Thursday as they lower the ribbon on a brand new Starbucks restaurant on Lake Avenue, simply south of the intersection with Indian Path.

Ald. Michael Saville, sixth, whose ward contains the brand new espresso store, identified that there are between 23,000 and 26,000 vehicles that journey the Route 31 hall day-after-day, close to the Starbucks location.

The Starbucks replaces a former quick meals restaurant that was closed and deteriorating for eight years earlier than Starbucks confirmed curiosity within the property.

“What an important new facility,” Saville mentioned. “Once we heard Starbucks was , we mentioned, ‘the place will we signal?’”

The mission really started in 2020, through the begin of the coronavirus pandemic shutdowns, and was to be a 5,900-square-foot constructing that might have included a few 2,400-square-foot Starbucks. However officers from the Glazier Company mentioned they have been unable to seek out different tenants for the constructing, in order that they went forward with a 2,225-square-foot, stand-alone Starbucks as a substitute.

There’s a drive-through lane, and one entry level on the south facet of the lot, matching up with Previous Indian Path Street throughout the road. There are 35 parking areas.

One of many huge prizes for the town is the brand new landscaping on Lake Avenue. Metropolis officers lengthy pursued larger setbacks for buildings alongside Lake Avenue, together with shifting the sidewalk which is straight subsequent to the busy freeway and setting it again extra for pedestrian security.

Trevor Dick, deputy financial improvement director for the town, mentioned the brand new sidewalks and setback which have accompanied redevelopment alongside Lake Avenue “are steadily enhancing the look of this hall.”

The enhancements could be seen not solely on the Starbucks property, however on the redeveloped McDonald’s website simply to the south and on the redeveloped Taco Bell throughout the road from the brand new Starbucks.

Mayor Richard Irvin welcomed Starbucks by presenting administration with a plaque celebrating the opening, and mentioned the redevelopment of the property reveals “one thing is going on right here for actual.”

It was the sixty fifth ribbon-cutting the town has held this yr for brand new companies and services.

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