Two brothers are turning a prominent Roscoe Village corner at N. Damen and W. Addison into a new family-run coffee shop called Dots Cafe, with a spring opening targeted in roughly five weeks. Construction crews have been working inside the space as the owners prep what they say will be a cozy neighborhood hangout on a stretch already known for long-running local restaurants.
What We Know
According to What Now Chicago, Dots Cafe is the project of brothers Michael and Rob Young and will open at 2000 W. Addison Street. The outlet reports that the cafe is named for the brothers' grandmother, nicknamed "Dot," who turned 100 last year and helped inspire the family-focused concept. The owners have been sharing progress photos on social media as the build-out moves along.
Permit and Build-Out
City building-permit records and contractor listings show a tenant fit-out at the address for a coffee-shop build-out, with a permit issued for interior alterations to the ground-floor retail space. BuildZoom project listings identify permit number 101067259 for interior work at 2000 W. Addison, which contractors describe as a coffee-shop fit-out.
Where It Will Sit
The storefront is at the corner of Damen and Addison, across from Roscoe Village staples like Bartoli's Pizzeria and nearby convenience stores, putting the future cafe within easy walking distance of the Brown Line's Addison station. Time Out lists Bartoli's at 1955 W. Addison, underscoring that Dots Cafe is joining an already busy neighborhood strip. The Addison Brown Line stop is a short walk away, according to the CTA.
Owners' Vision
In a social media post quoted by What Now Chicago, the brothers said they want to create a place "where friends and family can gather" and to build the concept around coffee and community. The family angle, along with their grandmother's nickname, has shaped how they are approaching hours, the menu and staffing as they get closer to opening day.
The brothers have urged neighbors and curious coffee fans to follow along on Instagram at @_dotscafe for menu reveals and the exact opening date. More details are expected to roll out there as construction wraps and the launch plan is finalized.
