River North coffee lovers may soon have a new Italian fix on a busy corner near the Magnificent Mile. A liquor-license application filed under the name Illy River North lists 675 N. Wells Street as the address for a planned Illy cafe at the intersection of N. Wells and W. Huron. If approved, it would mark the Italian brand’s second known Chicago outpost.
Plans and permit
According to What Now Chicago, the liquor-license application under “Illy River North” specifies 675 N. Wells as the new location. The outlet reports that owner Patrick Kingston, who lists an affiliation with Tyson Foods, told the publication the concept is planned as “an all day cafe and gelato shop” and that the River North spot will follow Illy’s franchised model.
Italian roots and U.S. footprint
Illy traces its origins to Trieste, Italy, where Francesco Illy founded the company in 1933. The brand now operates cafes and sells coffee and machines around the world. Its licensed Espressamente illy program runs sit-down and grab-and-go cafes that typically feature espresso drinks and light sandwiches, a format that lines up with what is described in the River North filing, according to illy.
Illy in Chicago
Chicago already has an Espressamente Illy inside the NBC Tower on Cityfront Plaza, so the Wells Street address would be the brand’s second known local location if it opens. Listings for the NBC Tower cafe note Illy’s presence on the building’s ground floor and outline the chain’s existing footprint in the city.
Where it would sit
The proposed Illy River North would occupy a prominent corner at N. Wells and W. Huron, directly across from Cocoro, the long-running Japanese restaurant at 668 N. Wells. The Huron and Wells retail block, anchored by a CVS and home to Cocoro, has been highlighted in local commercial real estate listings, underscoring the visibility of the corner site, according to Mid-America Real Estate.
Timeline and next steps
No opening date has been made public, and What Now Chicago notes that the construction status is not yet clear. For now, the liquor-license filing is the strongest public indication that Illy River North is moving toward a debut in the neighborhood. Additional permits or a formal notice from the company will be the key signals to watch next.
