Caribou Coffee's Failed Clark Spot Makes Room for 'Step Above' Shop

Chicago restaurateur Sean Tehrani has invested a lot into Lincoln Park since he moved here 15 years ago.

Besides running the Basil Leaf Cafe and the now-closed Leafy Greens vegetarian restaurant, he's added a coffee shop to his repertoire with Fuel Station Cafe. 

The new cafe opened Aug. 5 filling the space at 2453 N. Clark St. that was vacated by Caribou Coffee in April. Caribou closed along with 80 more because it was an "underperforming store." But one coffee joint's failure is an opportunity for a new place, Tehrani said. 

"I know the neighborhood. The neighbors took me in like family 15 years ago," he said. "I feel very comfortable here, this is home."

The focus on local is important and seen throughout the cafe. Fuel Station grinds and brews its own coffee on-site, and it also uses three local bakeries for its pastries and desserts.

Open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, Tehrani isn't just going after the morning foot traffic —he hopes to build a night crowd for people looking coffee and desserts after dinner. 

And in between, there's smoothies, juices, sandwiches and salads, and Tehrani's favorite, the "Cosmic Coffee," an iced drink brewed with a special recipe that only Tehrani knows. Seriously; he's the only one who makes it, because his employees don't know the brew. 

"I think we’re a step above all the other coffee shops," Tehrani said. "It’s a neighborhood joint, not another franchise. It’s got that homey feeling where you can just be comfortable."

For more information, check out the Fuel Station page on Facebook.