WICKER PARK — Expanding coffeehouse chain Bow Truss has started construction on its first Wicker Park outpost in a former dental office just east of the Milwaukee, Damen and North avenues intersection.
Located at 1948 W. North Ave., the new Bow Truss is expected to open by mid-January and will be the chain's 13th or 14th in the city, depending on construction timelines, owner Phil Tadros said Tuesday.
Tadros said there are 11 Bow Truss spots open now and nine under construction, including one at 4756 N. Clark St. in Uptown that's scheduled to open in October.
"There is not an amazing cup of coffee but good stuff nearby like Bru and Wormhole, but at that specific intersection, I don't see Starbucks or La Colombe being able to compete with our coffee," Tadros said.
Tadros said that the new Wicker Park spot will offer a cold brew bar in the 1,760-square-foot storefront, which will have at least 40 seats and be more of a hangout spot, similar to a Bow Truss in Lakeview.
"I love the space and it is a landmark district building. I'm really excited," Tadros said of the storefront, which will have a new glass facade and eventually employ up to 10 workers when it opens.
The free-standing, one-story property is separated from a 24-hour Dunkin Donuts by a small parking lot.
Dr. Luis Casals, who had a sign advertising "Dentista" in his window for decades, ran his office like a time capsule, featuring museum-like equipment that he used on a cluster of patients who'd been loyally seeing him for years before the 81-year-old retired last year.
In Wicker Park, Bow Truss and 37-year-old Tadros will face some tough competition.
Up the street, in the center of the six-corner intersection is a Starbucks, which is planning to triple in size and add beer and wine sales. On Damen Avenue is the recently remodeled Buzz Killer Espresso. A few steps south on Damen Avenue, the CTA Blue Line "L" tracks are flanked by a La Colombe coffee and Stan's Donuts.
Farther up the block, Bru, 1562 N. Milwaukee Ave., The Wormhole, 1462 N. Milwaukee Ave., and Filter Cafe, 1373 N. Milwaukee Ave., add to the caffeinated streets.
When asked how Bow Truss will be different from the pack — especially its new next door neighbor, an all-hours Dunkin — Tadros previously said, "I think we are in different business, as far as quality, compared to a Dunkin Donuts. We very specific about what we source, there is a difference in quality, a difference in what we sell."
Tadros also noted that the new spot, for which he said he signed a 10-year lease, is also larger than Bow Truss' usual footprint.
"Coffee shops are creative safe havens that no one should be discouraged not to open. I have a hard time understanding why people would not want to embrace more of the [coffee] culture," Tadros said.
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