A sweet surprise comes to Tree Studios in River North for a late winter opening. The brainchild of Lisa Gasparian, Café Crèmerie (615 N. State Street), set to open this winter.
“Café Crèmerie was made with love, passion, and sheer tenacity,” says owner Lisa Gasparian. “When we closed our doors in 2021, I didn’t know what to expect, but the journey has been well worth the reward.”
While closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Café Crèmerie was one of many businesses affected by looting during the August 2020 protests that affected the Gold Coast community. The damage to the café on top of the ongoing struggle the pandemic had on the restaurant industry, Lisa had to make the difficult decision to close permanently in 2021. She needed to focus on finding a solution for her business rather than react to constant problems that she couldn’t see an end to.
Lisa began having conversations with multiple landlords working to recruit Café Crèmerie. Having been in the business for years with her pre-existing Amorino Gelato Franchise location, the new storefront fortunately found a home in a landmarked Friedman Property.
With limited resources towards the restaurant industry, Lisa took matters into her own hands by taking on multiple roles from Owner to General Contractor to Project Manager. The ongoing pandemic continued to impose a struggle causing everything to take much longer than anticipated, especially with importing fabricated pieces and transit time. However, as a Business Owner and Mother, Lisa wanted to be an example of perseverance for her son, Alex, and slowly but surely, her vision became a reality.
“I knew I had to push forward for myself and for my son,” says Lisa. “I had to show him that with persistence and hard work, as long as you don’t give up, you can accomplish anything.”
The Café Crèmerie menu features specialty coffee by Illy, worldly wines, artisanal Italian gelato, savory snacks, sweet treats, and more, including gluten-free options. The beverage menu will also consist of canned wines from Nomadica as well as canned cocktails.
Twelve organic rotating gelato flavors made in the Italian tradition will greet guests with favorite flavors like vanilla bean, dark chocolate, and pistachio as well as seasonable selections. Fruit shelled sorbettos will feature flavors based on seasonality. All gelato and sorbetto are gluten-free. Those looking for an adult pick-me-up can order a shot of liquor in their treats for a boozy affogato or gelato frappe as well as the option to spike their coffee choices.
Aside from the chilled treats, an assortment of pastries and baked goods will be available. From bombolini to macarons and petite cakes to mousses. As for savory options, focaccia, Margherita pizza, sandwiches, and more will be available.
New to Café Crèmerie is a retail wall designed and selected by Lisa in collaboration with Caitlin Cole Design featuring floral, gifts, and greeting cards. Wine will also be available for purchase along the retail wall with the entire selection curated by Master Sommelier Fernando Beteta.
“We’re honored and privileged to have partnered with Fernando for Café Crèmerie,” says Lisa. “Wine was a new addition to the café’s concept and my goal was to offer unique and reasonably priced European bottles that you probably haven’t heard of but would absolutely enjoy.”
The design of Café Crèmerie was envisioned entirely by Lisa and turned into reality through the work of Mike Shively Architecture Firm. “I wanted a cozy place that was mid-century modern and Euro-chic,” reflects Lisa, “I wanted our guests to feel as if they were invited to my own personal living room. Someplace I would love to go every day.”
Located at 615 N. State Street, the space is 1,000 square-feet with 20 seats featuring bright and modern elements. Earthy tones are complemented by floral design throughout the space by Sprout Home Chicago providing a French provincial vibe. The storefront is 100% custom fabrication.
Café Crèmerie is located in the historic Tree Studios building at the intersection of State and Ohio Street in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. The building opened in 1894 following the 1983 World’s Fair.
Café Crèmerie will offer dine-in, counter service, delivery, and carryout. The official opening date is coming soon.
A sweet surprise comes to Tree Studios in River North for a late winter opening. The brainchild of Lisa Gasparian, Café Crèmerie (615 N. State Street), set to open this winter.
“Café Crèmerie was made with love, passion, and sheer tenacity,” says owner Lisa Gasparian. “When we closed our doors in 2021, I didn’t know what to expect, but the journey has been well worth the reward.”
While closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Café Crèmerie was one of many businesses affected by looting during the August 2020 protests that affected the Gold Coast community. The damage to the café on top of the ongoing struggle the pandemic had on the restaurant industry, Lisa had to make the difficult decision to close permanently in 2021. She needed to focus on finding a solution for her business rather than react to constant problems that she couldn’t see an end to.
Lisa began having conversations with multiple landlords working to recruit Café Crèmerie. Having been in the business for years with her pre-existing Amorino Gelato Franchise location, the new storefront fortunately found a home in a landmarked Friedman Property.
With limited resources towards the restaurant industry, Lisa took matters into her own hands by taking on multiple roles from Owner to General Contractor to Project Manager. The ongoing pandemic continued to impose a struggle causing everything to take much longer than anticipated, especially with importing fabricated pieces and transit time. However, as a Business Owner and Mother, Lisa wanted to be an example of perseverance for her son, Alex, and slowly but surely, her vision became a reality.
“I knew I had to push forward for myself and for my son,” says Lisa. “I had to show him that with persistence and hard work, as long as you don’t give up, you can accomplish anything.”
The Café Crèmerie menu features specialty coffee by Illy, worldly wines, artisanal Italian gelato, savory snacks, sweet treats, and more, including gluten-free options. The beverage menu will also consist of canned wines from Nomadica as well as canned cocktails.
Twelve organic rotating gelato flavors made in the Italian tradition will greet guests with favorite flavors like vanilla bean, dark chocolate, and pistachio as well as seasonable selections. Fruit shelled sorbettos will feature flavors based on seasonality. All gelato and sorbetto are gluten-free. Those looking for an adult pick-me-up can order a shot of liquor in their treats for a boozy affogato or gelato frappe as well as the option to spike their coffee choices.
Aside from the chilled treats, an assortment of pastries and baked goods will be available. From bombolini to macarons and petite cakes to mousses. As for savory options, focaccia, Margherita pizza, sandwiches, and more will be available.
New to Café Crèmerie is a retail wall designed and selected by Lisa in collaboration with Caitlin Cole Design featuring floral, gifts, and greeting cards. Wine will also be available for purchase along the retail wall with the entire selection curated by Master Sommelier Fernando Beteta.
“We’re honored and privileged to have partnered with Fernando for Café Crèmerie,” says Lisa. “Wine was a new addition to the café’s concept and my goal was to offer unique and reasonably priced European bottles that you probably haven’t heard of but would absolutely enjoy.”
The design of Café Crèmerie was envisioned entirely by Lisa and turned into reality through the work of Mike Shively Architecture Firm. “I wanted a cozy place that was mid-century modern and Euro-chic,” reflects Lisa, “I wanted our guests to feel as if they were invited to my own personal living room. Someplace I would love to go every day.”
Located at 615 N. State Street, the space is 1,000 square-feet with 20 seats featuring bright and modern elements. Earthy tones are complemented by floral design throughout the space by Sprout Home Chicago providing a French provincial vibe. The storefront is 100% custom fabrication.
Café Crèmerie is located in the historic Tree Studios building at the intersection of State and Ohio Street in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. The building opened in 1894 following the 1983 World’s Fair.
Café Crèmerie will offer dine-in, counter service, delivery, and carryout. The official opening date is coming soon.
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