Starbucks Is Opening A Four-Story Coffee Roastery In Chicago

What’s better than a regular Starbucks? A multi-story coffee emporium brewing all kinds of exotic coffee drinks, that’s what! Well, it seems dreams are coming true for Midwestern caffeine junkies: Starbucks is set to open a four-story location in Chicago. Four.Story.Starbucks. So yeah, we’re going to give you a minute to let that sink in.

This isn’t any ordinary location, either. It’s a Starbucks Reserve Roastery, which means the most rare, small-batch coffees will be available here. It’s set to open in 2019, so you’ve got some time to plan your epic coffee-fueled visit to Chicago!

According to a Starbucks press release, the coffee chain has a special relationship with the city of Chicago, as it was the first city to ever house a Starbucks store outside of Seattle.

“Having opened our first Starbucks store in Chicago nearly 30 years ago, our first outside of Seattle, this is a very special city for me,” executive chairman Howard Schultz said. “At the time, it was a true test for Starbucks because the Chicago customer is so savvy and discerning about their coffee.”

This will be Starbucks’ third Reserve Roastery in the U.S. The first one opened in Seattle in 2014, and a second location is set to open in New York City in 2018.

The Chicago Reserve Roastery will occupy a massive 43,000 square feet and will be all about offering an immersive coffee experience. Visitors will get an up-close-and-personal look at the roasting process, multiple brewing methods and mixology. Not to mention, special Reserve beverages will be offered here. Basically, it will make a trip to your neighborhood Starbucks seem like grabbing a stale cup of joe at a sad little gas station.

The Chicago Reserve Roastery will be located at North Michigan Avenue and Erie Street on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, the city’s iconic high-end shopping district. It will occupy the sweeping Michigan Avenue space that is currently home to Crate & Barrel, which has operated in that location for 27 years. Crate & Barrel will remain open until early 2018.

It’s certainly sad to see one business go, but this space is about to be transformed into something truly incredible. We predict this sure-to-be-spectacular Roastery will be much loved by Chicagoans and will quickly become a must-visit destination for tourists.