HUMBOLDT PARK — The former Knockbox Cafe at the booming intersection of California and Augusta is set to become a neighborhood cafe this fall.
A group that includes Mike Simmons, the former chef at Rootstock, plans to open Calaugusta Cafe and Grocer at 1001 N. California Ave.
Simmons envisions the concept as a European-style cafe with coffee, pastries and sandwiches by day and a bistro-style restaurant by night.
Knockbox Cafe closed in June 2014 amid changes at the intersection brought upon by some of the city's top restaurateurs.
The latest opening is part of Humboldt Park landlord Gino Battaglia's grand plan to re-imagine the intersection of California Avenue and Augusta Boulevard into a thriving destination.
Big changes over the past year include the opening of two Brendan Sodikoff establishments: C.C. Ferns, a coffee shop, and the reopened California Clipper; Spinning J pie and soda shop; and Haywood Tavern.
"We feel super happy to have the opportunity to become part of the evolving restaurant landscape at the intersection of California and Augusta," Simmons said.
Simmons is opening the new spot along with his wife, Valerie Szafranski, who will be general manager.
"We are also excited to watch that strip of California grow into a sort of dining and drink destination in Chicago," he said.
The crew behind Calaugusta Cafe and Grocer is running a Kickstarter campaign to help raise $15,000 to help open the business.
As of Tuesday morning, the group had raised almost $5,800 of its $15,000 goal.
The cash is needed for significant up-front costs such as permits, equipment and remodeling.
In the future, Simmons hopes to bring a farmers market to the park and build a sense of community with fellow restaurants around the cafe.
"We are a neighborhood café. We believe that everyone benefits when businesses complement, rather than compete with, one another," the group explains in the Kickstarter pitch.
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