Kids Start Pop-In Coffee Biz, Proceeds Go To Family Of Crash Victim

TINLEY PARK, IL — A group of Tinley Park kids apparently just can't wait to become businessmen and women, and they're getting started early. The kids have opened their own coffee stand, curbside Hanover Kids' Café, right in the driveway of one family's home.

Hot coffee, cold drinks, some baked goods, it's all there — who needs Starbucks? It's a Monday/Wednesday/Friday spot only, but whatever they make each week gets turned right back over to the community or local charity. This week's proceeds will go to the family of Zain Jaber, a 14-year-old Tinley Park boy who died Friday after being hit by a car while riding his bike.

The café is all the kids' brainchild, with handwritten and drawn menus, acquired coffee-making skills, signs for advertising, and even a commercial.

Ashleigh Gingras' sons Mikey, 12, and Christian, 8, man the "counter" — a folding table set up at the end of the driveway, just like a classic lemonade stand. On customer service there's Joey (9), Jonathan (10), Gianluca (12) and Allison (12).

They opened up three weeks ago, with Gingras and her husband helping fund the effort.

"At first, we were like their investors," Gingras said, laughing, "so they paid us back not all of what we spent, but a good chunk."

From then on, all proceeds go to a designated charity. Week one opened with $130 raised for White Sox charities; week two, $200 for leukemia research; week 3, $150 for a Plainfield child with cancer. This week's monies will go to the Jaber family.

"I like to give back to the community, it just makes me feel good," said Mikey. "I just feel like it’s good to give back."

There's a tip jar, and even that the kids often turn over to charity, Gingras said.

"I like just making the coffee, seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they donate or get their coffee," Mikey said. "The workers too, when they donate their tips, it makes them smile."

We're not talking just your basic black coffee, either. How about an iced coconut latte, or iced raspberry mocha? Last week, they featured an iced banana mocha latte. The specialty drinks change each week, with some standbys like lemonade, Arnold Palmer mixes, and iced tea.

"... almost every morning, I see my friends with smiles on their faces," said the younger Christian.

Tomorrow and Friday's offerings will also include homemade blueberry muffins (no dairy, no eggs), and an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie.

Mikey pitches their goods with the polish of a seasoned business owner.

"Our lemonade is house-made," he said. "It's excellent, I will tell you that."

Located at Hanover Drive and Milford Avenue, the café is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7 to 8:45 a.m. For the "fancier" or more complicated drink requests, customers can even text their orders in advance, to (708)794-8280.