Coffee lovers rejoice! Dutch Bros Coffee opens first of several planned Chicago-area shops

Dutch Bros Coffee has opened its first Chicago-area store in Melrose Park, bringing the drive-thru chain’s West Coast style to suburban Cook County. The shop is at 1931 N. Mannheim Rd., and the company says in a press release that it is the first of several planned locations in the region.

According to NBC Chicago, the Melrose Park opening began the morning of Thursday, May 14. The store adds a new option for commuters and coffee drinkers looking for a quick stop on Mannheim Road.

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More stores planned across Chicago suburbs

The company’s Chicago-area expansion is already moving beyond Melrose Park. Dutch Bros has plans for stores in Oak Park and Elk Grove Village, according to the reports. Other locations in Rockford, New Lenox, and Buffalo Grove could open as early as this summer.

According to the company’s announcement, Illinois already has Dutch Bros locations in Urbana, Fairview Heights, Mt. Vernon, and Edwardsville. The chain also says it is the third-largest coffee chain in the U.S., with more than 1,177 locations across 25 states.

As reported by Time Out Chicago, Dutch Bros was founded in Grants Pass, Oregon, in 1992. The company started when “two real-life bros bought a double-head espresso machine, cranked up the stereo and started experimenting with 100 pounds of coffee beans,” the announcement said.

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Allie Lahti, local market lead at Dutch Bros Coffee, said in the press release, “Opening in the Chicago area has always been a dream for us at Dutch Bros, and Melrose Park is just the beginning. We’ve already felt so much love from this community, and we’re so grateful to be here. Our crew is stoked to bring the energy and start serving our customizable drinks in Melrose Park!

The chain is known for upbeat music, energetic workers, and customizable drinks. Its stores are often built for fast service, with a drive-thru model that sets it apart from sit-down coffee shops.