National coffee chain coming to Highland, former Pizza Hut chosen as location
A new drive-thru coffeehouse is on its way to Highland after approvals last week by the city council.
Scooter’s Coffee is a national chain, but this will be its first location in Illinois. That will not last: There are currently five being built in Illinois this year and four more scheduled for 2022, according to documents filed with the city. All are being planned in southern Illinois, from Springfield to Carbondale.
Frey Coffee LLC is the company behind the project, and they have chosen the former Pizza Hut location on Illinois 143 to place the coffeehouse. Scooter’s Coffee will be a “kiosk-style building,” according to the documents, and will have enough room for two lanes of traffic all the way around the building as well as 20-28 parking spaces.
The project is being developed as a family business — Councilman Richard Frey’s family.
“It’s my wife and daughter-in-law’s project, and my son and I are helping out,” Frey said. “We saw a need, and we saw in other cities how many people go to these places.”
Highland Interim city manager Chris Conrad said he’d driven out to a similar kiosk in Greenville.
“They’re about the size of the old Fotomats, though that doesn’t help the people younger than me,” Conrad said. “They’re meant to be quick and fast.”
Frey said the fare will not be just a quick coffee on the way to work. “There’s smoothies and cheese and food items - you can grab a quick breakfast or lunch in the drive-through,” Frey said.
It is estimated Scooter’s will provide 24 new jobs in Highland, based on projections from existing stores.
This is the second coffeehouse to seek approval in Highland within a year; Molly’s Mochas is scheduled to open this year in a former gas station on Sixth Street. Michael’s Coffee has been open for some time in the former Michael’s Hotel, Conrad said, but each will have a slightly different take on their business. Molly’s Mochas will include a small gaming room and desserts, while Scooter’s will be drive-through only.
“Everyone’s got their own spin on what they’re doing,” he said.
Council approves in unanimous vote
Frey Coffee requested a special use permit from the city to allow the drive-through within the existing zoning. It was recommended by the planning and zoning board, and the city council approved it Feb. 16 in a unanimous vote with Councilman Rick Frey abstaining due to conflict of interest, Conrad said.
The former Pizza Hut building in Highland will remain for now as office space, but may eventually be torn down, according to the documents filed with the city.
Established in 1998, Scooter’s Coffee has nearly 300 locations in the U.S., across the Midwest and the south from Kentucky to Nevada.