Nick and Nicole Novotny’s journey from home coffee roasters in Akron, Ohio, to successful business owners in Chicago is a testament to their passion and dedication to the craft. Their venture, Printer’s Row Coffee, which started in Lincoln Park in 2015, has now expanded with a new location at 1400 N. Kingsbury Street, officially opening on June 1.
The new 3,000-square-foot roastery and café is situated along a bustling stretch that includes a large Whole Foods and Off Color Brewing’s Mousetrap taproom. Originally a cold storage facility, the space was a blank slate when the Novotnys took over. “It was just the timber ceilings and brick walls,” Nicole recalls. “One of the perks of starting from scratch is being able to get everything the way you want it.”
Printer’s Row Coffee’s new venue mirrors the charm and menu of the original location, offering light to medium roasts that highlight the distinct flavor profiles of single-origin beans. House-made syrups, featuring seasonal flavors, complement their array of beverages. Non-dairy options, including macadamia milk, are also available for those seeking alternatives for their lattes and other drinks.
The café showcases pastries from local providers like Downstate Donuts, known for their unique potato doughnuts, and West Town’s Brite Donuts, which supplies traditional croissants and assorted danishes. Nicole hints at the possibility of expanding the food menu based on customer interests. “We are always down to change and see what people are interested in and go from there,” she says.
The design of the new space was thoughtfully planned to preserve its original character while incorporating a minimalist, neutral aesthetic. The open layout divides the space between the café and production area, with plants and faded rugs adding a touch of warmth. The café also features a counter with electrical outlets and patio seating along Kingsbury Street.
Reflecting on the evolution of their first location, Nicole shares, “One of the things I think is so interesting is the way our first location has changed over time with all the character that filled it over the years we’ve been there. That is something we want to do in this new space. We want it to be something we can grow into over time as well.”
Nick and Nicole, both enthusiasts of vintage items, have filled the new café with refurbished pieces, including ’70s-era seats from a Colorado college and vintage materials for merchandise shelving. Nick, who handles the roasting, also works as a pharmacist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, while Nicole is a graphic designer.
The new location offers ample seating, unlike the original. The central area features vintage sofas and chairs, surrounded by two- and four-top tables. The bar, with six stools, provides a front-row view of the coffee roasting process. Natural light floods the space through east- and south-facing windows and a garage door that opens to a 16-seat secluded patio.
“We really wanted to be able to offer space for people to enjoy their coffee and to engage with us and build connections in that physical space,” Nicole emphasizes. “The spirit of Printer’s Row is pretty awesome, and to now have it in two places is going to be cool.”