Hummingbird Hideaway, an acai-focused cafe from Skokie entrepreneur Amy Feldman, is on its way to downtown Skokie, with Feldman eyeing a May opening. The spot is slated for the ground-floor storefront at 5118 Oakton Street in the Highpoint building and plans to serve blended acai bowls, smoothies, and light pastries for the breakfast and lunch crowd. As work continues on the unfinished space, Feldman says she wants the shop to feel like an extension of the community.
Village Board Backs Buildout With TIF Grant
According to the Village of Skokie, the Jan. 5 board agenda included a recommendation to approve a Downtown TIF Rehab Program grant not to exceed $45,600 to support the buildout at 5118 Oakton Street. The village brief notes that the grant would be provided on a rebate basis once construction and operation of the new business are complete.
Owner, Timeline And Buildout Costs
Amy Feldman, a former food-sales executive who worked at Lifeway and other Chicago-area companies, told The Record North Shore she has been planning Hummingbird Hideaway for roughly six months and hopes to open in May. Documents reviewed by the paper estimate the interior buildout at about $356,000 and describe the 1,800-square-foot storefront as unfinished since the mixed-use building was completed in 2022. “I just want it to be a feel good business,” Feldman told the paper.
Bowls, Smoothies, And A Prime Oakton Corner
Menu items will center on frozen and blended acai bowls with toppings like granola and vanilla yogurt, plus about 10 smoothies, oatmeal, and protein-forward small plates, according to What Now Chicago. The outlet also notes Hummingbird Hideaway will share building space with Ascione Bistro and sit next to the Skokie Heritage Museum on Oakton.
Downtown TIF Fuels Storefront Revival
Officials say the Downtown TIF district is a key tool for filling vacant storefronts and attracting neighborhood-serving businesses. Rodney Tonelli, Skokie’s economic vitality manager, told The Record North Shore the district has helped generate more than $275 million in private investment since 2005. The Record also notes recent TIF-backed awards to nearby projects, including Skokie Provisions and Ascione Bistro.
Next Steps And Where To Watch For Updates
Feldman says opening details and progress updates will appear on the cafe’s site and social channels, and What Now Chicago points readers to hummingbirdha.com for future announcements. Expect permitting and the interior buildout to stretch into spring before a soft opening, and neighbors should see construction activity around Oakton as the space is finished.
