Commuters will be able to enjoy a fresh cup of joe while waiting for their morning train, pending the approval of a new downtown coffee shop.

Trustees reviewed proposals for a coffee shop at the new Bartlett train depot from three coffee vendors at the Sept. 18 Committee of the Whole meeting.

Some Village Board members were disappointed that more businesses did not apply. Though nearly 15 nearby businesses had expressed interest in moving into the new station, only three actually submitted proposals, according to Tony Fradin, the village’s economic development coordinator.

Sharing in the disappointment, Trustee John Kavouris questioned whether the village should go back to try to recruit more coffee vendors.

But village officials said while they hoped to get more responses, they are satisfied with the businesses that did reply.

“It’s just coffee,” joked Village Administrator Valerie Salmons.

Among the proposals, which will be sent on to the Economic Development Commission Monday, is a downtown Bartlett coffee shop, a longtime Bartlett resident and an outside catering company.

The owner of the downtown Gift Gourmet, Arlene Steinhofer, has proposed relocating her business to the train station to sell coffee, beverages and gift baskets.

Steinhofer, who has owned her business in Bartlett for 20 years, said she did not want to comment until after a business had been selected.

Mark Duris, the president of a Roselle-based catering company, is proposing a high-end coffee shop serving commuters espresso drinks, Italian sodas and donuts. Tazza, the name of the potential business, would be similar to Starbucks, according to Duris.

“Our vision of Tazza is to make an oasis for commuters getting to work,” he said. “It would be a place for them to sit down and enjoy their morning paper.”
The shop’s decor would be contemporary and inviting, to draw customers beyond train commuters, Davis said.

“The vision is for it not just to be a place that sells coffee, but a place people go,” he said.

Among the other interested vendors is longtime resident Christine Mrozek and her son, Frank, who proposes a cafeteria-style coffee shop. The business would sell a plethora of items, including coffee, juices, milk, pastries and granola bars.

Mrozek became interested when she and her husband were taking a walk past the train station. Having had 30 years of experience operating cafeterias in businesses and schools, she said if there’s one thing she knows it’s coffee.