April 13th, 2022

Reserve Time for Starbucks Reserves Roastery
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Do you love coffee? Do you love Starbucks? Do you love breathtaking buildings in beautiful cities? Do you love restaurants? My answer is yes to all of the above. If your answer to these questions is also yes, then you must reserve time for the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Starbucks Reserves is a destination spot for Starbucks lovers.
Since my first visit to Chicago back in 2007, I have always been in awe of the city’s planning, design, skyscrapers, bodies of water, locations and of course, the restaurants. I am a foodie, as well as a lover of buildings and coffee so I felt a sense of kinship with the city. I now visit Chicago often – mainly for business though I try to add in a little fun. I have desired to visit Chicago Starbucks Reserves Roastery since I heard of its planning and building. During the spring of 2021, I finally had my opportunity.
As the Foodie Builder, I enjoy taking time out to visit restaurants and other food facilities for inspiration, to learn about trends and for my own enjoyment. I take time out to immerse myself in the industry so that I can continue to learn and grow and help people plan and build better food facilities. I made it my priority to reserve time to explore the Starbucks Reserves Roastery in Chicago. My visit to the reserves was filled with inspiration.
The Chicago Reserves is located on Michigan Avenue, in the heart of Chicago’s downtown. The building is a five-story feast for your eyes located on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile and it is outfitted with a gift shop, coffee shop, restaurant, and bar on located on their individual floors. The shop is in a location that was once a Crate and Barrel store, now remodeled to house the restaurant and its amenities.
When the roastery opened in the fall of 2019 it was already on my list of locations to visit. I planned to go early in 2020 and had my plane ticket purchased and hotel reservation made, I was ready for my adventure. Unfortunately, my trip was scheduled the same weekend that the Pandemic lockdown started. it was much more than my expectations.
I took time to enjoy a cup of coffee, take in the beautiful artwork clothing the walls while learning about coffee from all over the world. I stayed long enough to enjoy a tasty sandwich, much different from the pre-packaged sandwiches in typical Starbucks. The majority of the coffee and food in the Reserve are different than that in most Starbucks. Initially, I was disappointed that I could not get my regular Tall Pike Place but after I ordered my first cup of coffee, I forgot all about what I was missing.
The décor incorporates brewery fixtures into the overall theme while some of the walls are decorated with packaging from coffees and teas from different parts of the world. The space houses a toasty fireplace, adding warmth to the space that is surrounded by glass. At night the beautiful glass surrounded structures glows as it is lit from within. The structure invites anyone, not just building and coffee lovers to reserve time to make a visit.