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Clarendon Hills Today
By the People, for the People
Clarendon Hills Coffee Shop Nears Opening Deadline
The project is supposed to be done by April 30 under a village subsidy agreement.
Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:37am
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A long-awaited downtown Clarendon Hills coffee shop called Sparrow Coffee has an April 30 deadline to finish its renovation project, which is part of an agreement with the Village Board for a $622,000 project subsidy. The owner, Chris Chacko, says they are doing everything to open as soon as possible, but construction has been challenging due to the buildings being combined in a 'haphazard and unorthodox fashion' in the past.
Why it matters
The opening of this new coffee shop is an important milestone for the revitalization of Clarendon Hills' downtown area, which has seen some turnover in recent years. The village's subsidy agreement shows its commitment to supporting small businesses and attracting new amenities for residents.
The details
Sparrow Coffee is working to combine three previous units into one at 100 Park Ave. in downtown Clarendon Hills. Last month, the village ordered the project halted due to safety and maintenance issues, which were later corrected. Under the original subsidy agreement, Sparrow Coffee was required to finish the work by last Halloween, but the Village Board granted a six-month extension.
- The project is supposed to be done by April 30, 2026 under the village subsidy agreement.
- In October 2024, Sparrow Coffee reached an agreement with the village for a $622,000 subsidy.
- Last month, Clarendon Hills ordered the project halted, with village staffers saying they identified a safety concern and several maintenance issues at the site.
The players
Chris Chacko
The owner of Sparrow Coffee, the new coffee shop opening in downtown Clarendon Hills.
Clarendon Hills Village Board
The local government entity that granted Sparrow Coffee a $622,000 subsidy to support the renovation project and opening of the new coffee shop.
What they’re saying
“Our goal is to open at best speed; however, construction is very fluid, meaning that we are doing everything within our means to appropriate construction resources towards this end.”
— Chris Chacko, Owner, Sparrow Coffee
What’s next
It remains to be seen whether Sparrow Coffee will be able to complete the renovation and open by the April 30 deadline set by the village. The owner has expressed a commitment to opening as soon as possible, but the construction challenges may make that difficult.
The takeaway
The opening of Sparrow Coffee is an important step in revitalizing Clarendon Hills' downtown, and the village's financial support shows its dedication to attracting new businesses and amenities. However, the construction delays highlight the complexities that small businesses can face when undertaking major renovations, even with government assistance.
