Story posted Friday, July 3, 2009
Coffee Stand Back In Depot?
Des Plaines Metra commuters looking for that morning cup of coffee and bagel or muffin could soon find it in the train station on Miner Street if aldermen approve a recommendation by city staff at their meeting next Monday.
The coffee stand in the station has been vacant for the last several months since Kaffecino, a nearby restaurant across the street from the station that was running the stand, went out of business several months ago.
City Director of Community and Economic Development Michael Conlan recommended a lease be awarded to Rita Shah who owns Brasserie Pizza in Library Plaza across the street from the train station.
City staffers sent out 18 requests for proposals (RFP) to area restaurant operators and other interested parties last May. Only two RFP's were returned, one from Shah and one from Mr. Hana Shamoun who owned and operated Kaffecino from June 2005 through June 2007. Conlan said either vendor could have operated the coffee stand effectively but Shah was preferred because she presented a more complete business plan and has an operating restaurant business nearby that could help to support the coffee stand.
The city is leasing the space for the coffee shop at $230 a month.
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