WICKER PARK — A new bakery specializing in scones — around the corner from the CTA Blue Line Division "L" stop — is planning to open on April 1, it was announced Wednesday.
Billed as "an urban chef-driven bakeshop and espresso bar," the 1,200 square-foot Scone City at 1632 W. Division St. will bring five new jobs to the area, according to co-owner Jessica Canning.
Canning and her husband, Tim Canning, are co-owners of Lemon Tree Grocer in Downers Grove, where Chef Laurie McNamara's sells her scones at farmers markets.
McNamara's scones — baked in Downers Grove and sent to the 30-seat Wicker Park cafe — will include sweet and savory options, ranging between $3 and $4 each.
Galdones Photography
Cherry almond and ginger, spiced pear and maple bacon and an afternoon tea scone with currants are among the sweet scone options.
The savory menu serves up a pizza scone (pepperoni, mozarella, tomato sauce, basil and oregano), brie and honey, prosciutto and gruyere.
Logan Square-based HalfWit Coffee will be the beverage of choice. Bean program director John Mook will create several specialty and seasonal drinks, along with pour over coffees.
Hot tea from Rishi Organic Tea will be available, too.
Located on the northeast corner of Marshfield Avenue and Division Street, Scone City is across from a Wendy's fast food restaurant and an 11-story, 99-unit apartment tower at 1611 W. Division St.
Last January, Tim Canning bought the Scone City building and a neighboring storefront, home to Division Chiropractic and Acupuncture, for $2.1 million, according to county records.
A spokeswoman for Scone City said a new restaurant could eventually be coming to the back part of Scone City, once home to a dairy barn in the early 1900s.
The spokeswoman declined to share further details, though Chicago magazine reports that once a restaurant is open, McNamara could use a portion of the kitchen space for baking scones onsite.
James Geier of 555 Design is behind the shop's rustic-meets-modern design, which mixes raw metal with wood finishes.
Neon chandeliers amid whitewashed cabinets add to the juxtaposition of old and modern.
On Wednesday, Megan Thompson, a chiropractor at Division Chiropractic and Acupuncture, said she and her neighbors have been eagerly awaiting the opening of Scone City.
"We are pretty excited; the smell of the scones and the coffee coming in is great. Like everyone else, we can't wait," Thompson said.
Scone City, 1632 W. Division St. Ph: 773-904-8722. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m, daily; closed Tuesdays. Visit the shop's Facebook page for updates.
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