KNOCKBOX Cafe

Recently, a new CoffeeHouse has opened up in Humboldt Park on the corner of California and Augusta.
2 brothers and a wife form the nucleus of the operation.
With the younger brother Jonah- taking the post behind the register and the Expresso machine.
Jonah's management experience at Caribou Coffee has certainly helped him out in this new venture- but,
its his warm,easy manner and friendly smile that makes me want be a "regular" there (having excellent Metropolis Coffee brewed there also helps!)




Having a nicely roasted bean doesn't always yield a great cup of coffee.

What counts, is the depth of knowledge and the level of personal pride,
that a "barrista" (I hate using Star*ucks lingo) takes in preparing your drink-
all of which Jonah has in spades.

They have all of the necessary elements of a modern coffeehouse-
Great Vibe,
Fantastic Coffee,
WiFi,
Board Games,

"other" food items- from Panini grilled breakfast sandwiches to perfectly sweetened Carrot Muffin "Tops",

AND
and lots of seating.


All in all Knockbox Cafe makes a great addition to a neighborhood that sorely could use some hip,warm and friendly venues.
Stop by soon- you'll be happy you discovered this place.

KnockBox Cafe
1001 N. California Avenue
Chicago,IL 60622
773.360.8325

Phew! I thought the California Clipper went out of business, but it's across the street.

Pie Lady wrote:Phew! I thought the California Clipper went out of business, but it's across the street.

I was just there. It's very much alive and well.

Kinda Sad- that,
A) no one's felt the need to post anything about one of a handful of Coffee Shop's in Humboldt Park.

B) That after 5 years of carving out a business and a loyal following- KNOCKBOX is closing on September 28th-
due to a landlord that wouldn't renew their lease.
Owners Explanation of Loss of Lease

Opening any small business is tough in Chicago.
Keeping a Coffee Shop/Neighborhood "hang" open & thriving
for 5 years and
only to then see a dude like Brendan Sodikoff stroll into your 'hood- & take over a cool-ass place like The California Clipper- right across the street from you and have your
Landlord get all greedy on ya as a result........well- that truly- sucks.

Best of everything to ya Jonah-

Danny Meyer is going through the same thing in Union Square:

There Goes the Neighborhood Cafe
Danny Meyer: Union Square Cafe Is a Casualty of Rising Rents

I OPENED my first restaurant, Union Square Cafe, nearly 30 years ago, at a time when Manhattan rents were low, crime rates were high and the future of the city seemed, even for an optimist like me, to be an open question.

Things have changed in New York, which is great news, except perhaps for our restaurant’s lease. Union Square Cafe’s second 15-year lease will expire at the end of December 2015, and unless we’re able to complete a Hail Mary pass with our landlord before that point, we will have to move.
...
It’s hard to come to grips with the notion that our success has, in part, contributed to our inability to remain in our neighborhood. There are neither victims nor villains in this story; no sympathy is being asked for, and no fingers are being pointed. But as a city, we’ve got a problem.

Hombre de Acero wrote:Kinda Sad- that,
A) no one's felt the need to post anything about one of a handful of Coffee Shop's in Humboldt Park.

B) That after 5 years of carving out a business and a loyal following- KNOCKBOX is closing on September 28th-
due to a landlord that wouldn't renew their lease.
Owners Explanation of Loss of Lease

Opening any small business is tough in Chicago.
Keeping a Coffee Shop/Neighborhood "hang" open & thriving
for 5 years and
only to then see a dude like Brendan Sodikoff stroll into your 'hood- & take over a cool-ass place like The California Clipper- right across the street from you and have your
Landlord get all greedy on ya as a result........well- that truly- sucks.

Best of everything to ya Jonah-

Rumor has it that Sodikoff is buying this space as well. That's the buzz at least.

I like Sodikoff more than I do most Randolph St. Irregulars, but man is this a scenario straight out of a dance movie. What a nice, well-loved, family-friendly neighborhood spot, which I am sure will turn out some exquisite $15 burgers starting sometime in 2015. If the Clipper starts serving drinks priced in the double digits I might have to put on a breakdancing show to save the rec center.