A Belleville café opens soon. It’s also the new site for a growing downtown restaurant
LongStory Coffee owner Erik Busch has been busy since I visited the site of his new café in July.
At that time, everything had been stripped down to the bare bones. A walk-in refrigerator and a familiar pastry case – previously used at Balance – sat out on the floor.
I paid Busch a visit this week at 732 S. Illinois St. in Belleville, and I have to say: What a transformation!
Upon entering, I was met with an open space with a new vaulted ceiling. Tables and chairs are already set out.
A row of stools are lined up along the back wall, and the window bar has yet to be installed. Busch pointed out where a water station will go at the end.
The back wall will also display a variety of branded merchandise on floating shelves. A front wall display will feature packaged coffee for sale.
A pillar in the center of the space will be wired for electricity and have a wrap-around tabletop with barstool seating for two. (There will also be free Wi-Fi, so don’t be surprised if you see me working from there on occasion.)
A new partial wall was built, serving multiple purposes. It hides the unisex restrooms, provides space for additional storage, and will be quite the centerpiece when complete.
A new “LongStory Coffee” neon light fixture already adorns the new wall in what will be a more comfy seating area. The rest of the wall will include an open book motif, maybe some bookshelves, according to Busch.
The most striking part of the overall layout is the beautiful bar around the café’s new work space. The bar’s front is covered in a gorgeous dark blue tile. It’s topped with a stainless steel counter and lined with barstools.
The new work area provides a lot of space for the baristas. There’s a row of fancy new machines for them to work with as they make coffee for customers.
Which, according to Busch, will be very soon.
Some electrical work is still needed, as well as other tweaking, finishing touches and then inspections.
While he originally hoped to open at the end of the summer, Busch didn’t want to tempt fate (again) and give a set date for their opening. There will, however, be a soft opening soon and a grand opening later.
I asked if they would be open by Christmas.
“We better be open by Christmas!” said Busch.
What a gift that would be!
And it gets even better.
A match made in heaven
Busch also shared the big news that Clara B’s Kitchen Table will be moving in.
Yes, you read that right.
Clara B’s is moving from its location at 106 E. Main St. and taking up residence inside LongStory Coffee, where it will have a brand new kitchen space.
The announcement of a new location was posted Sunday, Nov. 27, on the Clara B’s Facebook page.
“Another Sunday service down and just one more to go as we start our ‘Farewell to Main Street’ tour. This week we will be featuring most of our favorites all week. Last service here is December 4,” stated the social media post.
Clara B’s owner Jodie Ferguson said in a phone interview that she realized over the summer their current space is too small, causing them to miss out on catering opportunities.
“We couldn’t accommodate (all of the) people who wanted to dine with us,” said Ferguson.
Clara B’s new kitchen will provide at least double the amount of space they currently have.
Their space will have its own walk-up window for orders.
Busch said that Clara B’s will continue to offer their full menu, adding new items over time.
And Busch acknowledges that he’s “terrible in the kitchen” and worried that any food they offered wouldn’t live up to their coffee.
So “having (Clara B’s) with us is, like, a match made (in heaven),” he said.
“I feel the same,” Ferguson agreed. “(Busch)’s pretty awesome.”
Ferguson also said that her customers already ask about lattes and other coffee drinks, which they don’t currently offer. At their new kitchen, people “can get (Longstory’s coffee) and our food, so everybody’s happy.”
“I’d like to be open in January,” said Ferguson, adding that it will likely be late January.
In the meantime, she said they will rent a kitchen space to prepare food for the food truck, which will be at LongStory Coffee on weekends.
Busch said Clara B’s food truck will likely start serving as soon as the café is open.
Plans down the line
Busch has many other plans for the café that will likely not be completed when it opens.
A row of taps for their nitro coffees will soon be installed.
Busch said that once they have their occupancy permit, he will apply for a liquor license so they can offer mimosas and bloody marys on weekends. He said that the liquor license could also be extended to Clara B’s.
There will also be designated spaces outside for curbside pick-up orders – Busch already has the signs.
The existing wheelchair ramp will be moved to a different entrance and widened to better accommodate electric wheelchairs.
Outdoor patio seating is also part of the plan.
Busch also wants to have a walk-up window where the old train depot’s ticket window was. The window would benefit food truck customers and customers with dogs. (Sorry, fellow dog people, no dogs will be allowed inside the café. It’s a health code thing.)
LongStory Coffee (and soon Clara B’s Kitchen Table) is located at 732 S. Illinois St. in Belleville.
Learn more about Clara B’s Kitchen Table at clarabs.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
For more info about LongStory Coffee, visit longstorycoffee.com. Check out their Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.
This story was originally published December 2, 2022 at 5:30 AM.
