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Read the press release here.

Intelligentsia Opening on Wells in June

By Paul Biasco | March 15, 2013 7:25am

OLD TOWN — Intelligentsia is planning to open its sixth Chicago coffee shop in June on Wells Street in Old Town as part of the Plum Market grocery store.

The Intelligentsia will open on June 13, the same day the upscale grocery store holds its grand opening at 1233 North Wells St.

The news of the 1,200-square-foot Intelligentsia, which will be adjacent to Plum Market but independently operated, comes about a month after Plum Market announced Chef Takashi Yagihashi of Takashi in Bucktown and River North's Slurping Turtle fame would be overseeing a sushi operation inside the grocery store.

The upscale grocery store and coffee stop are a welcome addition to the neighborhood, especially for residents of the newly completed 1225 Old Town high-rise apartment complex.

Charlotte Griffith, who moved to Chicago four months ago from New York and lives in the complex, said it is difficult to find high-quality groceries near the building.

"It sucks, so I'm excited for it," she said. "I like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, but they are a drive away."

Griffith said she usually walks down about four blocks away to Division Street for coffee, and is excited for the independently owned Intelligentsia.

"The Starbucks isn't far, but it will be nice to be able to go next door," she said.

The 27,000-square-foot Plum Market store will have free parking on the second level for shoppers.

The store also plans to have an assortment of foods prepared fresh daily and available to eat in or carry out, and will include a beverage program with educational tasting events in its wine bar.