ELBURN – With the day's specials written out with colorful chalk on a hanging blackboard, a customer sitting next to an open laptop computer and a sign reading "Free Wi-Fi," Corner Grind in Elburn opened on Monday, featuring the look of a classic coffee shop.
Elburn resident Tony Cobb has opened the eatery, and he was there Monday morning with his wife, Ann, and employees Jacob Roberge, Emily Rowley and Jennifer Hokinson at the business at 2 S. Main St., in downtown Elburn. Tony Cobb said there ultimately would be eight total employees, including his wife and him.
Tony Cobb said the first day had been “awesome.” He described Monday as a “soft opening,” with a grand opening and a ribbon-cutting ceremony set for the next couple of weeks. At that point, he said, sandwiches and salads will be part of the menu. For now, there are specialty coffees, smoothies and pastries.
“We are happy with it,” he said.
The Cobbs, who also own Riverview Banquets in Batavia, originally planned to have Corner Grind open in April, but they experienced frozen water pipes as part of the harsh winter, and the opening date had to be pushed back.
The building previously housed a bakery shop called Made From Scratch. Tony Cobb said he used to drive past it on the way to the Elburn Forest Preserve, and he was curious about the building. He said when he noticed the “for sale” sign that was there at the time, he started thinking about opening the eatery.
Tony Cobb said Corner Grind would be open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, but he said he is open to changing the hours based on customer response.
He said the restaurant has been training for the past three weeks, inviting those from nearby businesses to try out the products. He said the location in downtown Elburn, north of the train tracks, is ideal. He said the area has great bars and restaurants, but there had been “really nowhere for people to come together” in a coffee shop setting.
For information, visit www.thecornergrind.com or call 630-448-1133.
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Corner Grind is at 2 S. Main St., in downtown Elburn. For information, visit www.thecornergrind.com or call 630-448-1133.